Cal State LA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles than Vanguard University of Southern California ($4,460 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 31.7% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($13,450 vs. $19,696).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 482.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $34,540 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Los Angeles (about $21,940 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 115.9% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($29,847 vs. $13,824).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 120 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $12,080 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($12,920 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($133 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.