Vanguard University of Southern California

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Costa Mesa, CA
3.5 4 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

2,246

Location Costa Mesa, California
Website vanguard.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Vanguard University of Southern California is situated in Costa Mesa, California, approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles in Orange County's coastal region. The private Christian institution, founded in 1920 as the Southern California Bible School, operates on a 38-acre suburban campus featuring Spanish-style architecture. This liberal arts university maintains its affiliation with the Assemblies of God denomination while offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in psychology, business, nursing, and theological studies. The campus provides traditional dormitory housing for undergraduate students, with most first-year students required to live on campus. Vanguard competes in the NAIA Golden State Athletic Conference, with its athletic teams known as the Lions.

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Ratings

Vanguard University of Southern California is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

Overall Rating

6 out of 10
Academics

5 out of 10
Resources

5 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Vanguard University of Southern California within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#565
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#389
Best Colleges in California

#39
Best Private Colleges in California

#28
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#418
Best Value Colleges in California

#30

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy

GPA 3.31

Acceptance Rate

62.4%

Applications Due Aug 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 19.7%
Application Fee $45

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$41,700

Costs for Vanguard University of Southern California
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$41,700
Books and Supplies		$1,060
Other Fees		$900
Room and Board		$13,450
Budget for Other Expenses		$4,235
Total One Year Cost		$61,345

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$43,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

55% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Vanguard University of Southern California are Business, Psychology, and Communication. 32% of students major in Business, 19% in Psychology, and 8% in Communication.