California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt than Vanguard University of Southern California ($14,090 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 4.7% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,450 vs. $14,118).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 405.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $33,450 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $20,850 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 177.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($29,847 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 10 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Vanguard University of Southern California earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.