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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.

Data updated August 19, 2026

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.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

SCHG has outpaced VUG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 15.87% total return against 14.65%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SCHG has compounded at 18.48% a year, against 17.61% for VUG. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Dec 2009Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SCHG9.35%15.87%24.84%14.15%18.48%16.57%19.5%0.911.31-23.4%
VUG8.75%14.65%24.42%12.99%17.61%16.05%19.7%0.881.27-22.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Dec 2009” measures every fund from December 11, 2009 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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
Last Close$35.25 as of August 19, 2026$87.86 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.39%0.42%
Distribution Safety Score™ 10090
Expense ratio0.04%0.03%
AUM$62.8B$230B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market IndexMorningstar US Large Cap Growth Index
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
Beta1.211.26
Last dividend$0.0340$0.0923
Ex-dividend date06/24/202606/26/2026

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 yield0.39%0.42%
Fund size$62.8B$230B
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Schwab
ETFs34
Total AUM$616B

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$4703B

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.

VUG offers the higher yield at 0.42% vs 0.39% for SCHG. 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 track different benchmarks: SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index while VUG tracks Morningstar US Large Cap Growth Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VUG is the larger fund by assets ($230B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SCHG would generate roughly $3.25/month, while VUG would produce $3.50/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SCHG yield0.39%
VUG yield0.42%
Monthly 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 1.21 for SCHG and 1.26 for VUG, making SCHG the less volatile of the two by this measure.

SCHG beta1.21
VUG beta1.26

Fund details

SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $62.8B in assets. VUG is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $230B in assets.

SCHG AUM$62.8B
VUG AUM$230B
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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 0.39% and 0.42% as of August 2026. They share mega-cap growth names. Holding both mostly duplicates that sleeve.

What is the current distribution yield for SCHG and VUG?

SCHG currently distributes 0.39% and VUG 0.42%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield 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. VUG 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 $3.25 per month ($39.00 annually). The same in VUG would produce about $3.50 per month ($42.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SCHG or VUG?

SCHG has outpaced VUG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 15.87% total return against 14.65%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SCHG has compounded at 18.48% a year, against 17.61% for VUG. 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 August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

SCHG and VUG are both low-cost, broad-market large-cap growth ETFs tracking different indexes of U.S. growth stocks. The key distinction is the universe: SCHG follows the Dow Jones index (top 750 growth-classified stocks by market cap), while VUG tracks the CRSP index, which typically holds a wider growth opportunity set. Both charge 0.04% in expenses and distribute quarterly, making them similar entry points for growth-focused equity exposure.

How they differ

The primary difference is index composition and breadth. VUG's CRSP index tends to cast a wider net than SCHG's Dow Jones index, potentially including more mid-tier and smaller growth names within the large-cap universe. VUG is also substantially larger, with $230B in AUM versus SCHG's $62.4B, which typically translates to tighter bid-ask spreads and deeper liquidity for large trades. Both funds share identical expense ratios at 0.04%, but their distribution rates are nearly the same (VUG at 0.41% vs. SCHG at 0.38%), suggesting comparable dividend yield from their underlying holdings. VUG's beta of 1.26 is modestly higher than SCHG's 1.21, indicating a slightly larger sensitivity to market movements—a small but measurable difference that may reflect the composition of their respective indexes.

Who each is best for

SCHG: Fits investors seeking a focused large-cap growth allocation with a tighter index methodology and lower absolute AUM, particularly those who value Schwab's ecosystem or who prefer deliberate ranking-based constituent selection.

VUG: Designed for investors who prioritize maximum liquidity and the broadest large-cap growth exposure available through a major index provider, and who benefit from Vanguard's scale and established market presence.

Key risks to know

  • Index tracking and overlap risk: Both funds track similar but distinct large-cap growth indexes. Holdings may overlap substantially, but differences in constituent selection and weighting between the Dow Jones and CRSP methodologies could cause performance divergence during market cycles favoring certain growth characteristics.
  • Growth-style concentration: Both carry a beta above 1.20, meaning they amplify market downturns and typically underperform in value-driven or rising-rate environments. Extended periods of growth-stock underperformance could pressure both funds simultaneously.
  • Minimal income characteristics: Distribution rates under 0.41% mean these are total-return vehicles, not income generators. Investors expecting meaningful quarterly dividend checks will be disappointed.
  • Large-cap concentration risk: The largest holdings in both indexes (mega-cap technology and consumer names) dominate returns. A broad market correction in mega-cap growth equities would affect both funds meaningfully.

Bottom line

Both funds offer nearly identical expense ratios and growth-focused large-cap exposure with different index methodologies. VUG's substantially larger AUM and broader index composition appeal to investors prioritizing maximum liquidity and diversified growth exposure; SCHG's tighter index and lower absolute size fit those comfortable with a more curated growth roster or already within the Schwab platform. Past performance of either fund 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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