SCHD vs VYM
Two popular Vanguard-versus-Schwab income staples: dividend growth (SCHD) versus a higher current yield (VYM). Here’s how SCHD and VYM compare for dividend investors — with a calculator for each so you can model the income yourself.
SCHD
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
- Type
- Dividend-growth ETF
- Issuer
- Charles Schwab
- Pays
- quarterly
SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which screens for companies with a long record of paying dividends plus quality and financial-strength filters. It is one of the most widely held dividend-growth ETFs, favoured for its low expense ratio and steadily rising payout.
SCHD dividend calculatorVYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
- Type
- High-dividend ETF
- Issuer
- Vanguard
- Pays
- quarterly
VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, weighting toward established U.S. companies that pay above-average dividends. It aims for a higher current yield than the broad market while keeping a diversified, large-cap profile.
VYM dividend calculatorSCHD vs VYM dividend, side by side
Current dividend figures for SCHD and VYM as of Jul 10, 2026. Yields and payouts change — verify the latest numbers with your broker before investing.
How SCHD and VYM differ
SCHD — SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which screens for companies with a long record of paying dividends plus quality and financial-strength filters. It is one of the most widely held dividend-growth ETFs, favoured for its low expense ratio and steadily rising payout.
VYM — VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, weighting toward established U.S. companies that pay above-average dividends. It aims for a higher current yield than the broad market while keeping a diversified, large-cap profile.
In practice the choice comes down to your goal. SCHD suits an investor who wants a rising dividend over time rather than the highest starting yield, while VYM suits one who wants a higher current yield from a diversified large-cap base. The two are not mutually exclusive — plenty of portfolios hold a growth-oriented fund and an income-oriented one together. What matters is matching each to its job and not judging a fund on its headline yield alone.
Rather than compare a single snapshot yield (which moves daily), open each calculator and enter current figures: the SCHD calculator and the VYM calculator. To compare long-term compounding head to head, run the same contributions through the dividend reinvestment calculator with each fund’s assumptions.
SCHD vs VYM FAQ
- What's the main difference between SCHD and VYM?
- SCHD is a dividend-growth etf from Charles Schwab; VYM is a high-dividend etf from Vanguard. Two popular Vanguard-versus-Schwab income staples: dividend growth (SCHD) versus a higher current yield (VYM).
- Does SCHD or VYM pay more dividends?
- As of Jul 10, 2026, SCHD yields about 3.25% and VYM about 2.26%, so SCHD currently pays the higher yield. SCHD pays quarterly; VYM pays quarterly. Yields move daily, so verify current figures and use the calculators below to model the income yourself. Higher-yield funds pay more today, while dividend-growth funds start lower and raise the payout over time.
- Which is better, SCHD or VYM?
- Neither is universally better — they suit different goals. SCHD fits an investor who wants a rising dividend over time rather than the highest starting yield; VYM fits one who wants a higher current yield from a diversified large-cap base. Match the fund to your objective, time horizon, and tax situation, and consider a licensed advisor.
- Can I hold both SCHD and VYM?
- Many investors do, to blend current income with growth. Just be aware of overlap — if both hold similar large-cap US stocks, you may be less diversified than the two tickers suggest.