Vanguard University of Southern California Acceptance
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 Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $41,700
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,241 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 62.44% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,933 89.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 56.77%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 35.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 17.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average ACT Score: 22
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,147
- Applicants (IPEDS): 3,422
- Room & Board: $13,450 annual estimate
Vanguard University of Southern California: what the data shows
Common questions about Vanguard University of Southern California, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California is located in Costa Mesa, CA (ZIP 92626).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California public or private?
Vanguard University of Southern California is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Vanguard University of Southern California cost?
Published tuition: $41,700.
Average net price after aid: $21,241.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $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.
How hard is it to get into Vanguard University of Southern California?
Admission rate: 62.44%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Vanguard University of Southern California?
Total enrollment: 1,933 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,147 students.
Graduate enrollment: 286 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Vanguard University of Southern California?
150%-time completion rate: 56.77%.
First-year retention: 70.1%.
What do graduates of Vanguard University of Southern California earn?
Median earnings: $43,464 six years after entry; $59,541 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,000.
43.78% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Vanguard University of Southern California known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (75 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (72 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (59 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (54 completions)
- Education, General (44 completions)
- Communication and Media Studies (32 completions)
- Clinical Psychology (28 completions)
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (23 completions)
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology (21 completions)
- Pastoral Studies/Counseling (19 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 62.44%; completion rate 56.77%; median earnings $59,541 at 10 years; net price $21,241. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$41,700
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Vanguard University of Southern California was $41,700.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,241
2024 Value
In 2024 Vanguard University of Southern California had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,241.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$84,964 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,241 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$166,800 4-Year Tuition
$13,450 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,060 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$56,210 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$224,840 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Financial Aid by Income Level
43.78% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
56.82% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
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.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
62.44% Acceptance Rate
3,422 Total Applicants
2,214 Students Admitted
502 First-Time Students Enrolled
22.67% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
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
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 47.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
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
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Hispanic or Latino.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Return on Investment
$22,000 Median Student Debt
$59,541 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
36.95% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
600.78% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 38 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 75 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 72 completions
3. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 59 completions
4. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 54 completions
5. Education, General: 44 completions
6. Communication and Media Studies: 32 completions
7. Clinical Psychology: 28 completions
8. Teacher Education, Multiple Levels: 23 completions
9. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: 21 completions
Most popular programs at Vanguard University of Southern California.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Vanguard University of Southern California graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Vanguard University of Southern California from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,494
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,587
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private non-profit institution located in Costa Mesa, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Enrollment is approximately 1,933 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (47.2%), White (30.5%), Race/ethnicity unknown (9.8%). The admission rate is 62.44%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 22. The 150%-time completion rate is 56.77%. Approximately 43.78% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Vanguard University of Southern California provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
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.
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.
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.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California public or private?
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private nonprofit institution located in Costa Mesa, CA.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California an HBCU?
No. Vanguard University of Southern California is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California a tribal college?
No. Vanguard University of Southern California is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
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
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Costa Mesa, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
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 for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.