California State University-Northridge vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, 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 Northridge is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Northridge 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 Northridge 25:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge than Vanguard University of Southern California ($7,536 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 2.6% lower than at California State University Northridge ($13,450 vs. $13,804).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 459.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $34,242 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.9% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Northridge (about $21,642 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Northridge (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 132.7% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($29,847 vs. $12,825).

California State University-Northridge vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 80 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

California State University-Northridge vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $10,804 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($14,196 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($146 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 59%)

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.