Sacramento State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Sacramento State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento than Vanguard University of Southern California ($10,110 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 29.9% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($13,450 vs. $19,174).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 420.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $33,682 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.3% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Sacramento (about $21,082 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 133.8% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($29,847 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 60 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Sacramento State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($162 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.