Southern California Institute of Architecture
Southern California Institute of Architecture — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Southern California Institute of Architecture at a Glance
The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) is a private Architecture school in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1972, SCI-Arc was initially regarded as both institutionally and artistically avant-garde. It currently enrolls approximately 600 students and employs 80 faculty members, some of whom are professional architects. The school is located in the quarter-mile long (0.40 km) former Santa Fe Freight Depot in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles. SCI-Arc…
1972
54 years old
500
Is Southern California Institute of Architecture Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Southern California Institute of Architecture is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $71,909 — 34% above average — while paying $43,923/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.4-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Southern California Institute of Architecture has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Southern California Institute of Architecture compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #6 of 9 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Homestead Schools | 87 | $15,962 | $59,398 |
| #2 | St Luke's College | 77 | $19,820 | $61,033 |
| #3 | Maine College of Health Professions | 51 | $26,312 | $79,840 |
| #4 | Capitol Technology University | 43 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| #5 | Warner Pacific University | 36 | $25,629 | $55,204 |
| #6 | Southern California Institute of Architecture | 29 | $43,923 | $71,909 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Southern California Institute of Architecture's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CA.
Best Programs at Southern California Institute of Architecture
The highest-earning program at Southern California Institute of Architecture is Architecture at $39,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Architecture graduate from Southern California Institute of Architecture earns $39,000, while a Architecture graduate earns $39,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Architecture graduates carry $34,000 in median debt vs. $34,000 for Architecture.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $43,923/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | $39,000 | $39,000 | $34,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Student Body
- 236 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $43,923
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,909