Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
About Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private research university in Costa Mesa, California, enrolling about 1,933 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 62.44% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $59,541 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Vanguard University of Southern California charges 42% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($41,700).
- Versus the California median, sticker tuition is about 5.2×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 56.77%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $59,541.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Vanguard University of Southern California is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 601% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $41,700 | $21,241 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| California (state median) | $8,093 | $8,343 | 287 |
| Suburban (locale median) | $13,135 | $18,048 | 684 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 49% below published tuition at Vanguard University of Southern California
Key findings
- Vanguard University of Southern California's average net price ($21,241) is 49% below published tuition ($41,700).
- Vanguard University of Southern California charges 42% above the national private non-profit median tuition ($41,700).
- Versus the California median, sticker tuition is about 5.2×.
Vanguard University of Southern California tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $41,700
Finding Vanguard University of Southern California charges 42% above the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $41,700. That is 42% above the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the California median ($8,093), sticker tuition is about 5.2×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 3.5×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Vanguard University of Southern California versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Vanguard University of Southern California versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Vanguard University of Southern California is $21,241.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $21,241 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $12,898 above the California median net price. Versus suburban campuses, net price runs $3,193 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Vanguard University of Southern California’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 49% lower after grants and scholarships.
Vanguard University of Southern California: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Vanguard University of Southern California—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$41,700
Avg. net price
$21,241
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $17,225 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,462 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,976 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,117 |
| $110,001+ | $27,684 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $166,800. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Vanguard University of Southern California is known for
Top program completions
- Psychology, General75
- Business Administration and Management, General72
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology59
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse54
- Education, General44
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 23% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 22
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Vanguard University of Southern California is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Campus
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
City / state
- ZIP
- 92626
- NCES locale
- Suburb
Compared with Suburban campuses nationally, net price is 18% above the median for Suburban campuses ($18,048 median).
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Far West
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Size
Enrollment
1,933
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 2,147
- Graduate
- 286
- Full-time share
- 89%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$22,000
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 43.78%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Vanguard University of Southern California was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Vanguard University of Southern California in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $29,250 | $29,250 | $22,491 |
| 2014 | $30,050 | $30,050 | $23,952 |
| 2015 | $30,050 | $30,050 | $23,052 |
| 2016 | $31,430 | $31,430 | $27,947 |
| 2017 | $32,430 | $32,430 | $21,374 |
| 2018 | $33,720 | $33,720 | $20,292 |
| 2019 | $35,100 | $35,100 | $20,051 |
| 2020 | $36,550 | $36,550 | $21,338 |
| 2021 | $37,700 | $37,700 | $20,181 |
| 2022 | $38,700 | $38,700 | $23,795 |
| 2023 | $39,950 | $39,950 | $19,761 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 22 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Vanguard University of Southern California reported total enrollment of about 1,933 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 33% male and 67% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (47.2%), White (30.5%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (9.8%). About 43.78% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Vanguard University of Southern California in 2024 is 1,933 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,147 students. Graduate enrollment is about 286 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
70.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
51.53% 100% Completion Time
56.77% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 51.53% of students graduating from Vanguard University of Southern California completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 24% male / 76% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 68% male / 32% female
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 44% male / 56% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Vanguard University of Southern California graduates earn a median of $59,541 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Vanguard University of Southern California.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $59,541. Median federal loan debt: $22,000. Average net price used in cost models: $21,241.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Vanguard University of Southern California graduates report median earnings of $59,541 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (38 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Vanguard University of Southern California.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Vanguard University of Southern California graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Vanguard University of Southern California—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$16.1M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- California median 0.81× the median ($19.7M)
- Far West median near the median ($16.8M)
- U.S. median 0.61× the median ($26.4M)
- California median 1.1× the median ($7,407)
- Far West median 1.1× the median ($7,260)
- U.S. median 0.66× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- California median 60.7 pp above median (39.3%)
- Far West median 54.3 pp above median (45.7%)
- U.S. median 42.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $9,494
- California median 0.93× the median ($10,166)
- Far West median near the median ($9,635)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,587
- California median 1.3× the median ($6,474)
- Far West median 1.2× the median ($7,030)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Vanguard University of Southern California at a glance
Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private non-profit institution in Costa Mesa, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Psychology, GeneralBusiness Administration and Management, GeneralExercise Science and Kinesiology
- Largest enrollment groups
- Hispanic or Latino47.2%White or Caucasian30.5%Race/ethnicity unknown9.8%
Schools near Vanguard University of Southern California
Other campuses in Costa Mesa, CA when available, plus nearby institutions in California.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within California, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vanguard University of Southern California located?
Vanguard University of Southern California is located in Costa Mesa, CA.
What is Vanguard University of Southern California's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Vanguard University of Southern California is 62.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 3,422 applicants and 2,214 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Vanguard University of Southern California's tuition?
Vanguard University of Southern California tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $41,700 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $21,241 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Vanguard University of Southern California cost?
Reported tuition is $41,700 and average net price is $21,241 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,450 annually.
Why is Vanguard University of Southern California's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Vanguard University of Southern California, published tuition is $41,700 while average net price is $21,241—about 49% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Vanguard University of Southern California's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($21,241), completion (56.8% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($59,541). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,147 students, Hispanic or Latino (47.2%), White (30.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Vanguard University of Southern California?
About 35.9% of students at Vanguard University of Southern California are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Vanguard University of Southern California?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Vanguard University of Southern California reports midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Vanguard University of Southern California earn?
Median earnings are $43,464 six years after entry and $59,541 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Vanguard University of Southern California?
The 150%-time completion rate is 56.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Vanguard University of Southern California students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,000.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.