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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

DGRO vs SCHD vs VIG vs VYM: Growth Screen or Current Yield?

A side-by-side of iShares Core Dividend Growth, Schwab US Dividend Equity, Vanguard Dividend Appreciation, and Vanguard High Dividend Yield.

Updated October 9, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • DGROInvestors who want a quality-dividend tilt rather than the whole market.
  • SCHDInvestors who want higher current income (3.23% vs 1.56% for VIG).
  • VIGInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
  • VYMInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

SCHD tops the group over the trailing twelve months with a 26.66% total return, against DGRO at 15.76%, VIG at 12.04% and VYM at 15.90%. Across the 10-year window, DGRO has the strongest compounding at 13.49% a year. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Jun 2014Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
DGRO12.90%15.76%18.68%11.01%13.49%12.27%11.7%1.081.58-14.0%
SCHD23.41%26.66%16.24%9.27%12.70%11.73%13.2%0.811.18-16.1%
VIG10.09%12.04%17.32%10.75%13.27%11.77%12.2%0.951.38-15.0%
VYM12.57%15.90%18.95%11.59%11.60%10.78%12.4%1.041.51-14.5%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 9, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jun 2014” measures every fund from June 12, 2014 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricDGROSCHDVIGVYM
Full nameiShares Core Dividend Growth ETFSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETFVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
IssueriSharesSchwabVanguardVanguard
Underlying indexMorningstar US Dividend Growth IndexDow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 IndexS&P U.S. Dividend Growers IndexFTSE High Dividend Yield Index
Last Close$77.29 as of October 9, 2026$33.04 as of October 9, 2026$239.05 as of October 9, 2026$158.75 as of October 9, 2026
Distribution rate1.99%3.23%1.56%2.23%
Trailing 12-month yield1.93%3.19%1.53%2.32%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10010010095
Safety-Adjusted Yield 1.99%3.23%1.56%2.12%
Expense ratio0.08%0.06%0.04%0.04%
AUM$42.2B$109B$110B$79.6B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterlyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveSeeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar U.S. Dividend Growth Index, which measures the performance of U.S. equities with a history of consistently growing dividends. Companies must have a payout ratio less than 75% and are excluded if in the top decile based on dividend yield.Seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the total return of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which measures the performance of high dividend yielding stocks issued by U.S. companies with a record of consistently paying dividends, selected for fundamental strength relative to their peers based on financial ratios.Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments.Seeks to track the performance of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which offers exposure to dividend-paying large-cap companies that exhibit value characteristics within the U.S. equity market. The index includes stocks with a history of paying above-average dividends.
Asset classEquityEquityEquityEquity
Inception date06/10/201410/20/201104/21/200611/10/2006
Beta0.660.560.740.68
Last dividend$0.385$0.2665$0.93$0.887
Ex-dividend date09/15/202609/23/202609/28/202609/18/2026
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See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

iShares
ETFs467
Total AUM$4.68T

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DGRO.

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Schwab
ETFs33
Total AUM$609B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Schwab offers ETFs across U.S. and international equities, fixed income, and other investment categories. Its dividend-focused lineup includes SCHD, which seeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index and selects dividend-paying U.S. companies for fundamental strength. Fund objectives and tracked indexes differ across the lineup.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHD.

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Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4.67T

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VIG and VYM.

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Quick verdict

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF), SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF), VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF), VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are dividend ETFs that take different approaches.

SCHD offers the highest reported yield at 3.23%, followed by VYM at 2.23%, DGRO at 1.99%, VIG at 1.56%.

VIG and VYM tie for the lowest expense ratio at 0.04%, compared to 0.06% for SCHD and 0.08% for DGRO.

VIG is the largest fund by assets ($110B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment: DGRO generates ~$49.75 cash per distribution, SCHD generates ~$80.75 cash per distribution, VIG generates ~$39.00 cash per distribution, VYM generates ~$55.75 cash per distribution at current distribution rates.

DGRO yield1.99%
SCHD yield3.23%
VIG yield1.56%
VYM yield2.23%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000: DGRO costs ~$80, SCHD costs ~$60, VIG costs ~$40, VYM costs ~$40 in fees (simplified, not compounded).

DGRO ER0.08%
SCHD ER0.06%
VIG ER0.04%
VYM ER0.04%

Strategy & risk

DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index; SCHD tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index; VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index; VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index.

DGRO beta0.66
SCHD beta0.56
VIG beta0.74
VYM beta0.68

Fund details

DGRO is managed by iShares (launched 06/10/2014) with $42.2B in assets. SCHD is managed by Schwab (launched 10/20/2011) with $109B in assets. VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $110B in assets. VYM is managed by Vanguard (launched 11/10/2006) with $79.6B in assets.

DGRO AUM$42.2B
SCHD AUM$109B
VIG AUM$110B
VYM AUM$79.6B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DGRO, SCHD, and VIG?

Four US dividend screens. DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) is iShares Core Dividend Growth. SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) is Schwab's quality-and-yield screen. VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is Vanguard Dividend Appreciation. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is Vanguard High Dividend Yield. Cost is 0.08%, 0.06%, 0.04%, and 0.04% as of October 2026. Screen rules, not a tiny yield gap, are the decision.

Which of DGRO, SCHD, VIG, and VYM is best for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SCHD currently offers the highest reported distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility, and funds without an established distribution history have no comparable yield to evaluate. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between DGRO, SCHD, VIG, and VYM?

DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index, issued by iShares. SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, issued by Schwab. VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, issued by Vanguard. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, issued by Vanguard.

Can I hold DGRO, SCHD, VIG, and VYM together?

Yes — nothing prevents holding them together. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which of DGRO, SCHD, VIG and VYM is safest?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: DGRO scores 100, SCHD scores 100, VIG scores 100, VYM scores 95. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. SCHD has also shown lower price volatility (beta 0.56 vs 0.74 for VIG). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has the lowest fees among DGRO, SCHD, VIG, and VYM?

DGRO has an expense ratio of 0.08%, SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06%, VIG has an expense ratio of 0.04%, VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 generate in each?

$10,000 in DGRO yields ~$49.75 cash per distribution ($199.00/year). $10,000 in SCHD yields ~$80.75 cash per distribution ($323.00/year). $10,000 in VIG yields ~$39.00 cash per distribution ($156.00/year). $10,000 in VYM yields ~$55.75 cash per distribution ($223.00/year).

More comparisons to explore

DGRO vs SCHD vs VIG vs VYM — at a glance

Generated October 10, 2026.

Overview

These four ETFs all track U.S. dividend-paying equities but differ materially in selection criteria and yield profile. DGRO and SCHD emphasize consistent dividend growth and fundamental strength; VIG requires a 10-year track record of increasing payouts; VYM casts a wider net on above-average yielders with value tilt. The result is a spectrum from growth-oriented (DGRO, VIG) to income-focused (SCHD, VYM), with expense ratios clustered tightly between 0.04% and 0.08%.

How they differ

SCHD offers the highest yield at 3.23%, nearly double VIG's 1.56%, because it selects from the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100—the 100 highest-yielding U.S. dividend payers screened for financial strength. DGRO and VYM fall between, at 1.99% and 2.23% respectively, but DGRO explicitly excludes the top-decile yielders to avoid "dividend traps," while VYM embraces value characteristics and above-average payers without that cap. VIG takes the most conservative approach, requiring 10 consecutive years of dividend increases rather than just a history of consistency; its 1.56% yield reflects a more growth-tilted cohort. All four charge 0.04% or 0.06%, making fees a non-differentiator. AUM ranges from $42.2B (DGRO) to $109B (SCHD), though all are substantial; SCHD and VIG are nearest peers on asset base.

Who each is best for

DGRO: Fits investors seeking dividend growth with a safety filter—companies that grow payouts but don't yield so high they risk cuts. The 0.66 beta and 1.99% yield suit moderate-income seekers with a longer horizon.

SCHD: Fits investors prioritizing current income from fundamentally sound dividend aristocrats. The 3.23% yield and 0.56 beta appeal to those who want a higher payout without sacrificing financial quality screening.

VIG: Fits investors with the longest dividend-growth conviction—the 10-year increase requirement is the strictest bar here. The 1.56% yield and 0.04% cost suit compounders who view the fund as a long-term "set and forget" core holding.

VYM: Fits investors comfortable with value and yield tilt without growth requirements. The 2.23% yield and 0.68 beta work for income-focused allocators who don't need the "10-year" or "growth-only" constraint.

Key risks to know

  • Yield-driven selection bias in SCHD and VYM. High-yielding stocks may face headwinds if rates rise or valuations compress; SCHD's 100-stock concentration and reliance on top yielders (unfiltered by payout ratios) increases sensitivity to yield-driven mean reversion.
  • NAV erosion from return-of-capital risk in high-yield funds. If SCHD or VYM distributions rely partly on return of capital rather than earnings, long-term principal may erode even as the stated yield looks attractive. This is a structural risk of yield-skewed portfolios, not a guarantee, but worth monitoring.
  • Growth constraint may underperform in dividend-growth rotations. VIG's 10-year increase requirement and DGRO's growth filter may lag when dividend-yield rotation favors undervalued payers without long histories, or when economic weakness cuts growth expectations.
  • Overlapping holdings and correlation risk. These four funds likely share many core dividend payers (large-cap dividend stocks), so holding multiple could amplify concentration in the same underlying companies and sector tilts, rather than truly diversify.
  • Beta and drawdown sensitivity. All four trade at betas between 0.74 and 0.66, indicating less volatility than the broad market but still meaningful equity risk; in sharp downturns, dividend cuts often follow, eroding both price and yield simultaneously.

Bottom line

If you prioritize current income from financially sound companies, SCHD stands out with its 3.23% yield and fundamental screening. If you favor dividend-growth compounding with the strictest entry bar, VIG's 10-year requirement and lowest 0.04% cost fit that discipline. DGRO threads the middle ground—modest growth with a yield-trap filter—while VYM offers the highest yield without growth constraints. Past performance does not predict future results, and these funds' actual returns depend on earnings growth, payout policy, and valuation shifts that distribution yield alone does not reveal.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns T-bills vs. money market funds vs. CDs

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.