Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Vanguard University of Southern California ($17,453 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 28.4% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,450 vs. $18,792).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 206.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $28,104 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $7,035 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 108.2% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($29,847 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 230 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at Vanguard University of Southern California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Vanguard University of Southern California has a higher acceptance rate (62.4%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $26,200 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $6,334 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.