CMA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanguard University of Southern California is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (2,246 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

CMA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or Vanguard University of Southern California? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Maritime Academy than Vanguard University of Southern California ($19,040 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 7.5% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($13,450 vs. $14,536).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 319.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $31,756 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Maritime Academy (about $19,156 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $22,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Maritime Academy (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 170.4% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($29,847 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or Vanguard University of Southern California? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vanguard University of Southern California and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

CMA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and Vanguard University of Southern California? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $47,300 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have a $526 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.