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ETF Comparison

SCHG vs VUG: Same Style Box, Different Growth Indexes

A head-to-head of Schwab's U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF and Vanguard's large-cap growth ETF covering screens, cost, and overlap.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SCHGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
  • VUGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

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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 VUG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.73% total return against 14.00%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.87% a year, ahead of VUG at 18.12%. 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
SCHG12.18%13.73%26.14%14.72%18.87%16.61%19.4%0.971.40-23.4%
VUG12.87%14.00%26.46%13.89%18.12%16.19%19.7%0.971.40-22.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 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.
MetricSCHGVUG
Full nameSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETFVanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
IssuerSchwabVanguard
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMorningstar US Large Cap Growth Index
Last Close$36.34 as of October 2, 2026$91.17 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate0.41%0.40%
Trailing 12-month yield0.38%0.38%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10090
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.41%0.36%
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
AUM$64.3B$235B
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 Large Cap Growth Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/11/200901/26/2004
Beta1.221.27
Last dividend$0.037$0.091
Ex-dividend date09/23/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineSCHG and VUG are both for investors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Fees and payouts are close too, so it comes down to which your broker offers commission-free and any share-price or tax-lot preference.

SCHG vs VUG: two large-cap growth indexes

Same style box, two rulebooks. Holdings overlap is high; index rules, concentration, and cost are the live differences.

SCHGVUG
IndexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMorningstar US Large Cap Growth Index
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
Distribution rate0.41%0.40%
Fund size$64.3B$235B
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Income calculator

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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$4676B

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 VUG.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

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

SCHG offers the higher yield at 0.41% vs 0.40% for VUG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VUG 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 VUG is linked to Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VUG is the larger fund by assets ($235B), 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 VUG would produce $10.00 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.41%
VUG yield0.40%
Cash diff on $10K$0.25

Cost & efficiency

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

SCHG ER0.04%
VUG ER0.03%

Strategy & risk

SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, while VUG tracks Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index with a growth approach. Beta is 1.22 for SCHG and 1.27 for VUG, making SCHG the less volatile of the two by this measure.

SCHG beta1.22
VUG beta1.27

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $64.3B in assets. VUG is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $235B in assets.

SCHG AUM$64.3B
VUG AUM$235B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SCHG and VUG?

Both are US large-cap growth funds. SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. VUG (Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF) tracks Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index. Cost is 0.04% versus 0.03%; distributions are 0.41% and 0.40% as of October 2026. They share mega-cap growth names. Holding both mostly duplicates that sleeve.

What is the current distribution rate for SCHG and VUG?

SCHG currently distributes 0.41% and VUG 0.40%, based on fund data updated October 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 VUG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SCHG 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 VUG?

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 VUG safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SCHG scores 100, VUG scores 90, so SCHG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SCHG or VUG?

SCHG has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VUG 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 VUG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SCHG would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution ($41.00 annually). The same in VUG would produce about $10.00 cash per distribution ($40.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or VUG?

SCHG has lagged VUG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.73% total return against 14.00%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SCHG has compounded at 18.87% a year, ahead of VUG at 18.12%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SCHG vs VUG — at a glance

Generated October 3, 2026.

Overview

SCHG and VUG are both large-cap growth ETFs that track broad-market indexes but differ in their underlying methodology and size. SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index and holds the top 750 growth-classified stocks by market cap, while VUG tracks the Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index. VUG is substantially larger, with $235B in assets versus $64.3B, and has been operating since 01/26/2004, compared to SCHG's launch on 12/11/2009.

How they differ

The first major difference is index methodology: SCHG uses a mechanical ranking system (top 750 by market cap within a growth classification), while VUG applies Morningstar's proprietary stock-picking methodology to define its growth universe. That distinction may lead to different holdings and weightings, though both aim at U.S. large-cap growth exposure.

The fee advantage goes to VUG, which charges 0.03% versus 0.04% for SCHG—a 0.01% gap that compounds over decades. Beta is similar—1.22 for SCHG and 1.27 for VUG—suggesting comparable volatility relative to the broad market.

Who each is best for

SCHG: Fits investors who prefer a transparent, rules-based index approach and want lower exposure concentration; the top-750 framework caps single-position size and avoids subjective stock selection, which appeals to those skeptical of index provider methodology or seeking broader diversification within growth.

VUG: Designed for investors building a core large-cap growth holding who prioritize the lowest possible expense ratio and the largest possible asset base. The Morningstar index may appeal to those who trust its quality and growth metrics over mechanical market-cap ranking.

Key risks to know

  • Index methodology risk: SCHG's and VUG's underlying indexes define "growth" differently (Dow Jones vs. Morningstar), which means their holdings can diverge significantly during periods when style definitions matter—e.g., when value and growth valuations separate sharply. This is not simply a holdings-overlap question but a structural risk to verify before combining them.
  • Large-cap growth concentration: Both funds are heavily exposed to concentrated mega-cap technology and similar cohorts, so their NAVs may move in lockstep during sector rotations. Holding both provides minimal diversification benefit and amplifies exposure to the same style risk.
  • Beta sensitivity: 1.22 (SCHG) and 1.27 (VUG) both exceed 1.0, indicating these funds swing harder than the overall market in both directions. During downturns, expect steeper declines; during rallies, stronger gains.
  • Valuation risk in growth: Large-cap growth valuations are historically sensitive to interest-rate shocks and profit-margin compression. Neither fund hedges this; both will reprice sharply if growth multiples compress.

Bottom line

If you prioritize the absolute lowest fee, VUG's 0.03% and $235B asset base make it the natural default for a core holding. If you value index transparency and a wider growth universe (top 750 vs. a curated set), SCHG's mechanical approach and 0.04% cost are competitive. The 0.01% fee gap is small enough that index fit and trading liquidity may matter more to your decision than cost. Past performance does not predict future results.

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

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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.