Cal State Long Beach vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Long Beach vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach than Vanguard University of Southern California ($10,607 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 13.8% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($13,450 vs. $15,612).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 467.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $34,350 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Long Beach (about $21,750 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 153% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($29,847 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 40 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Vanguard University of Southern California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Vanguard University of Southern California has a higher acceptance rate (62.4%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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.