CSU Bakersfield vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, 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 State University Bakersfield is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 20:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield than Vanguard University of Southern California ($6,489 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 10.8% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($13,450 vs. $15,076).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 415.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $33,610 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Bakersfield (about $21,010 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 130.2% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($29,847 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield 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 CSU Bakersfield.

• 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: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield 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).

• Vanguard University of Southern California's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $11,832 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($13,168 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($136 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 54%)

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.