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ETF Comparison

SCHG vs VTI: A Growth Sleeve, or Everything?

A head-to-head of Schwab's U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and Vanguard's total-market ETF covering style, cost, and overlap.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SCHGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
  • VTIInvestors who want higher current income (1.02% vs 0.41% for SCHG).

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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.

SCHG has lagged VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.54% total return against 15.72%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.77% a year, ahead of VTI at 14.79%. VTI has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 15.4% against 19.4% for SCHG. 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 Dec 2009Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHG10.92%13.54%25.72%14.59%18.77%16.54%19.4%0.951.37-23.4%
VTI12.23%15.72%22.42%12.31%14.79%13.97%15.4%1.031.50-19.3%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 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 Dec 2009” measures every fund from December 11, 2009 — 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.
MetricSCHGVTI
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
IssuerSchwabVanguard
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMorningstar US Total Market Index
Last Close$35.93 as of September 30, 2026$374.24 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate0.41%1.02%
Trailing 12-month yield0.39%1.05%
Distribution Safety Score™ 100100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.41%1.02%
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
AUM$64.3B$700B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveSeeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, holding the components ranked 1-750 by full market capitalization that are classified as growth.Seeks to track the Morningstar US Total Market Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200905/24/2001
Beta1.221.0379
Last dividend$0.037$0.9555 payable today
Ex-dividend date09/23/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose SCHG if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose VTI if you want higher current income (1.02% vs 0.41% for SCHG).

SCHG vs VTI: growth sleeve or the whole market?

SCHG is large-cap growth. VTI is the US total market. Holding both doubles mega-cap growth already inside VTI.

SCHGVTI
What it ownsUS large-cap growthMorningstar US Total Market Index
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
Distribution rate0.41%1.02%
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Schwab
ETFs33
Total AUM$612B

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

Schwab is a major provider of low-cost, broad-based ETFs known for making investing accessible to individual investors through its discount brokerage platform. The issuer's fund lineup spans multiple categories including core index funds, dividend and income-focused strategies, factor-based approaches, international exposure, fixed income, and digital assets, with popular core holdings like SCHB (U.S. broad market) and SCHD (dividend appreciation) alongside more specialized thematic offerings. Schwab's ETF suite is characterized by its breadth across asset classes and investment styles, competitive expense ratios, and integration with its retail brokerage ecosystem.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHG.

See all Schwab ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4677B

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 VTI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VTI offers the higher yield at 1.02% vs 0.41% for SCHG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VTI is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared to 0.04%.

They have different reference exposures: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while VTI is linked to Morningstar US Total Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VTI is the larger fund by assets ($700B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution, while VTI would produce $25.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.41%
VTI yield1.02%
Cash diff on $10K$15.25

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SCHG would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $30 for VTI (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SCHG ER0.04%
VTI ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while VTI tracks Morningstar US Total Market Index. Beta is 1.22 for SCHG and 1.0379 for VTI, making VTI the less volatile of the two by this measure.

SCHG beta1.22
VTI beta1.0379

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $64.3B in assets. VTI is managed by Vanguard (launched 05/24/2001) with $700B in assets.

SCHG AUM$64.3B
VTI AUM$700B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SCHG and VTI?

SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) holds US large-cap growth. VTI (Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF) holds the whole US market. Holding both doubles mega-cap growth already inside VTI. Cost is 0.04% versus 0.03%; distributions are 0.41% and 1.02% as of September 2026. Style tilt versus the whole market is the decision.

What is the current distribution rate for SCHG and VTI?

SCHG currently distributes 0.41% and VTI 1.02%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is SCHG or VTI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VTI currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Can I hold both SCHG and VTI?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. 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.

Is SCHG or VTI safer?

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: SCHG scores 100, VTI scores 100. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. VTI has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.04 vs 1.22 for SCHG). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SCHG or VTI?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTI charges 0.03%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in SCHG vs VTI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution ($41.00 annually). The same in VTI would produce about $25.50 cash per distribution ($102.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or VTI?

SCHG has lagged VTI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.54% total return against 15.72%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.77% a year, ahead of VTI at 14.79%. VTI has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 15.4% against 19.4% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SCHG vs VTI — at a glance

Generated September 26, 2026.

Overview

SCHG and VTI are both broad-market equity ETFs that track U.S. stock indexes, but they pursue different universes. SCHG focuses exclusively on large-cap growth stocks—the 750 largest companies classified as growth by the Dow Jones methodology—while VTI holds the entire U.S. stock market across all market capitalizations and styles, including value, blend, and small caps. That structural difference drives everything else: market exposure, volatility, dividend yield, and sector composition.

How they differ

The biggest difference is scope. SCHG isolates growth-oriented large caps; VTI captures the full breadth of the U.S. market, from mega-cap to micro-cap and across all styles. That means SCHG's 1.22 beta signals it swings harder than the broad market, while VTI's 1.0379 beta tracks the overall market. Expense ratios are nearly identical—0.04% for SCHG and 0.03% for VTI—so cost is not a differentiator.

Who each is best for

SCHG: Fits investors who want concentrated exposure to large-cap growth trends and can tolerate above-market volatility; appeals to growth-tilted allocations or as a complement to value-heavy holdings elsewhere in a portfolio.

VTI: Fits investors seeking single-fund total-market exposure with lower volatility and broader diversification across size and style; suits core-holding strategies or buy-and-hold approaches that don't require style tilting.

Key risks to know

  • Style concentration risk in SCHG. Growth stocks tend to move together, especially in rate-sensitive environments. When growth falls out of favor, SCHG's narrower mandate amplifies losses relative to a broader market index.
  • Market-cap bias in VTI. Because VTI weights by market capitalization, it holds roughly 40% in the mega-cap technology and financial sectors, concentrating exposure to a few dominant companies; a correction in those names would ripple through the whole fund.
  • Dividend yield gap. SCHG's low payout reflects its growth tilt—these companies reinvest rather than distribute. Investors seeking income from equities will find VTI's higher yield more suitable, though both remain low-yielding relative to value-focused funds.
  • Economic sensitivity. Both funds' equity exposure means they're vulnerable to recessions, rising rates, and earnings disappointment. SCHG's higher beta amplifies that sensitivity.

Bottom line

If you want to own the entire U.S. market in one fund with minimal volatility and broad diversification, VTI stands out; if you're seeking concentrated exposure to growth stocks and accept above-market swings, SCHG offers a tighter focus. The gap between their yields reflects their mandates, not fund performance—SCHG's lower payout is a feature of its growth-stock universe, not a signal of underperformance. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.