SCHG vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VUG yields more: 0.42% (dividend yield) against 0.42% for SCHG. VUG is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.04%. Over the same 16 years (Dec 2009 to Oct 2026), SCHG returned 16.1% a year with distributions reinvested, and VUG 15.5%.
| Compared | SCHG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.42% | 0.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.2% | +2.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +24.7% | +24.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.7% | +10.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +18.4% | +17.6% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2009 | -31.8% | -33.1% |
| Share price since Dec 2009 | +956% | +862% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Schwab | Vanguard |
| Assets | $61.7B | $380.0B |
| Started | 2009 | 2004 |
| Type | Large Growth | Large Growth |
Higher yield
VUG
0.42%
Lower cost
VUG
0.03%
Better total return
SCHG
16.1%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHG
-31.8%
Key facts: SCHG vs VUG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHG yields 0.42% (dividend yield) and VUG yields 0.42% (dividend yield).
- SCHG's expense ratio is 0.04% and VUG's is 0.03%: $4 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHG grew to $123,453 (16.1% a year) and $10,000 in VUG to $113,869 (15.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -31.8% for SCHG and -33.1% for VUG.
- 9 of SCHG's top ten holdings are also in VUG's top ten, an overlap of at least 55% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SCHG vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/schg-vs-vug
$10,000 in each, Dec 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SCHG became
$123,453
16.1% a year
VUG became
$113,869
15.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | SCHG | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.4% | +19.4% |
| 2024 | +34.9% | +32.7% |
| 2023 | +50.1% | +46.8% |
| 2022 | −31.8% | −33.1% |
| 2021 | +28.1% | +27.4% |
| 2020 | +39.1% | +40.2% |
| 2019 | +35.9% | +37.0% |
| 2018 | −1.3% | −3.3% |
| 2017 | +27.4% | +27.8% |
| 2016 | +8.9% | +6.2% |
| 2015 | +3.4% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | +15.9% | +13.6% |
| 2013 | +34.4% | +32.6% |
| 2012 | +16.5% | +17.1% |
| 2011 | −0.6% | +1.8% |
| 2010 | +16.5% | +17.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 55% of each fund.
SCHG
- AAPL Apple Inc12.1%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp11.9%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp9.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc5.7%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A3.9%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.8%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C3.2%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co3.2%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.1%
VUG
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp13.5%
- AAPL Apple Inc12.5%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp9.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A5.2%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A4.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C4.1%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc2.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc2.7%
SCHG vs VUG: questions
Is SCHG or VUG better?
It depends on the job. VUG pays more today (0.42% vs 0.42%), VUG costs less, and SCHG has the better total return over Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, with SCHG holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHG or VUG?
VUG, at 0.42% against 0.42% for SCHG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $42 vs $42 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SCHG. From Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 16.1% a year with distributions reinvested, against 15.5% for VUG. $10,000 became $123,453 vs $113,869.
Which is cheaper, SCHG or VUG?
VUG, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.04%.
Do SCHG and VUG hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 55% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHG leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.