Cal State Fullerton vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, 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 Fullerton is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Fullerton 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 Fullerton 26:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton 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 Fullerton than Vanguard University of Southern California ($7,064 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 29.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,450 vs. $19,080).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 458.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $34,230 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fullerton (about $21,630 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 165.7% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($29,847 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton 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 State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is the same as at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton 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 Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.