CSU vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 Chico is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Chico 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 Chico 23:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

CSU vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chico than Vanguard University of Southern California ($14,630 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 18.5% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,450 vs. $16,500).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 392.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $33,228 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.9% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Chico (about $20,628 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 159.3% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($29,847 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 20 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

CSU vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.