IJR vs SCHA: Head-to-Head Comparison
IJR vs SCHA: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has an expense ratio of 0.06% while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF charges 0.04%. IJR holds 600 securities vs SCHA's 1,750. 5-year returns: 9.50% vs 10.50%.
Last updated: April 2026
Small Cap
Quick Verdict
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IJR | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04% |
| AUM | $80.0B | $17.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.50% | 1.20% |
| Holdings | 600 | 1,750 |
| 1-Year Return | 11.00% | 19.50% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 9.50% | 10.50% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 9.00% | 9.50% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 1.18 |
| P/E Ratio | 18.5 | 18.2 |
IJR 5-year annualized return is 9.50% compared to SCHA's 10.50%. Over 10 years, IJR returned 9.00% vs SCHA's 9.50%.
View data table
| Period | IJR Return | SCHA Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 2.20% | 1.80% |
| 1 Year | 11.00% | 19.50% |
| 3 Year | 6.00% | 6.50% |
| 5 Year | 9.50% | 10.50% |
| 10 Year | 9.00% | 9.50% |
Key Differences Between IJR and SCHA
IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) is a us small-cap fund managed by BlackRock. IJR tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which screens for profitability before including companies, making it a higher-quality small-cap option. Unlike broader small-cap indexes, the S&P 600 requires positive earnings, filtering out unprofitable speculative companies. This quality screen has historically helped IJR deliver better risk-adjusted returns than many competing small-cap funds.
SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) is a u.s. small-cap blend fund managed by Schwab. SCHA provides exposure to roughly 1,750 small-cap U.S. companies that larger index funds typically miss. Small-cap stocks have historically delivered higher long-term returns than large-caps, though with more volatility along the way. Beginners who want to capture the growth potential of smaller American businesses can use SCHA to broaden their portfolio beyond the usual large-cap names.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.06% vs 0.04%), number of holdings (600 vs 1,750), and 5-year returns (9.50% vs 10.50%).
IJR vs SCHA multi-factor comparison: IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, 9.50% 5-year return, 600 holdings, 1.12 beta, and 1.50% yield. SCHA has 0.04% expense ratio, 10.50% 5-year return, 1,750 holdings, 1.18 beta, and 1.20% yield.
View data table
| Metric | IJR | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04% |
| 5-Year Return | 9.50% | 10.50% |
| Holdings | 600 | 1,750 |
| Beta | 1.12 | 1.18 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.50% | 1.20% |
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
18%
Holdings Overlap
IJR and SCHA share only 18% of their top holdings. These funds are quite different, making them complementary choices if you want broader market coverage.
IJR and SCHA share 18% of their top holdings (low overlap). IJR has 600 total holdings and SCHA has 1,750. Common holdings include SPSC, MWA, ENSG.
View data table
| Metric | IJR | SCHA |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 18% | 18% |
| Unique Holdings | 82% | 82% |
| Total Holdings | 600 | 1,750 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
IJR
Fee cost: $515
SCHA
Fee cost: $344
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $171 on a $10,000 investment. SCHA saves you more in fees over time.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, IJR (0.06% fee) grows to $46,094 while SCHA (0.04% fee) grows to $46,266. The fee difference costs $172.
View data table
| Year | IJR Value | SCHA Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,653 | $14,666 |
| 10 | $21,470 | $21,509 |
| 15 | $31,458 | $31,546 |
| 20 | $46,094 | $46,266 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose IJR if: You want quality-conscious investors wanting small-cap exposure without the junkiest stocks, core small-cap allocation in a diversified portfolio, investors who prefer index methodology with built-in quality screening. It's managed by BlackRock with an expense ratio of 0.06%.
Choose SCHA if: You want long-term investors who want exposure to smaller, faster-growing u.s. companies, portfolio diversifiers looking to complement large-cap core holdings, schwab customers seeking low-cost small-cap exposure with no commissions. It's managed by Schwab with an expense ratio of 0.04%.
Can You Own Both IJR and SCHA?
Absolutely! With only 18% overlap, IJR and SCHA complement each other well. A simple portfolio might allocate 60% to one and 40% to the other, or you could pair them with a bond ETF like BND for a complete three-fund portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy IJR or SCHA?▾
Both ETFs score equally well for beginners (9/10). Your choice depends on your specific investment goals. However, both are solid options. IJR is best for investors who want quality-conscious investors wanting small-cap exposure without the junkiest stocks, while SCHA is better suited for long-term investors who want exposure to smaller, faster-growing u.s. companies.
What is the difference between IJR and SCHA?▾
IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) tracks us small-cap investments with 600 holdings and a 0.06% expense ratio. SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) focuses on u.s. small-cap blend with 1,750 holdings at 0.04%. Their top holdings overlap by 18%.
Can I own both IJR and SCHA?▾
Yes! With only 18% holdings overlap, IJR and SCHA complement each other well. Owning both gives you broader diversification.