La Sierra University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Deciding between La Sierra University and Vanguard University of Southern California? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • La Sierra University Riverside, CA
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA
  • Setting
  • La Sierra University Large City
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • La Sierra University 1,574
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,246
  • Type
  • La Sierra University Private 4 Year
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • La Sierra University #692
  • Vanguard University of Southern California #565
  • Religious Affiliation
  • La Sierra University Seventh Day Adventists
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • La Sierra University Non-profit
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • La Sierra University
  • Vanguard University of Southern California
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • La Sierra University $37,710
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • La Sierra University $37,710
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Room & Board
  • La Sierra University $13,431
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $13,450
  • Average Net Price
  • La Sierra University $23,848
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $23,286
  • Average Grant Aid
  • La Sierra University $27,646
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $29,847
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • La Sierra University 98%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • La Sierra University Calculate
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Calculate
  • Applied
  • La Sierra University 1,917
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3,948
  • Admitted
  • La Sierra University 1,754
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,465
  • Acceptance Rate
  • La Sierra University 91.5%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 62.4%
  • Enrolled
  • La Sierra University 13.3%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • La Sierra University 1010
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • La Sierra University 23
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • La Sierra University 3.54
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • La Sierra University A-
  • Vanguard University of Southern California B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • La Sierra University Moderate
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • La Sierra University
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Low
  • ACT Range
  • La Sierra University 18/28
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25
  • SAT Range
  • La Sierra University 880/1140
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • La Sierra University Test-free
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • La Sierra University
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • La Sierra University 12:1
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • La Sierra University
    • Biology (24%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Vanguard University of Southern California
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • La Sierra University 32%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 55%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • La Sierra University $51,900
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $43,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • La Sierra University 52%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 64%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • La Sierra University $30,000
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • La Sierra University $310
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • La Sierra University 41%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 33%
  • % Women
  • La Sierra University 59%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • La Sierra University Very High
  • Vanguard University of Southern California High
  • HBCU
  • La Sierra University No
  • Vanguard University of Southern California No
  • % White
  • La Sierra University 14%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 45%
  • % Asian
  • La Sierra University 16%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 4%
  • % Black
  • La Sierra University 6%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • La Sierra University 48%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 36%
  • % Native American
  • La Sierra University 0%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • La Sierra University 2%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • La Sierra University 4%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 5%
  • % International
  • La Sierra University 11%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • La Sierra University 0%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • La Sierra University 85%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 88%
  • % Out-of-State
  • La Sierra University 12%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • La Sierra University Yes
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • La Sierra University No
  • Vanguard University of Southern California No
  • Meal Plan
  • La Sierra University Yes
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • La Sierra University Yes
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • La Sierra University No
  • Vanguard University of Southern California No
  • Learn More
  • La Sierra University Details
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Details

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanguard University of Southern California is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (2,246 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

La Sierra University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 Vanguard University of Southern California than La Sierra University ($23,286 vs. $23,848).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 0.1% lower than at Vanguard University of Southern California ($13,431 vs. $13,450).
  • Vanguard University of Southern California is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $3,990 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $37,710.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at La Sierra University (about $3,990 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $37,710.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 8% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($29,847 vs. $27,646).

La Sierra University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 80 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
  • Incoming La Sierra University 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: La Sierra University 880/1140; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
  • La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

La Sierra University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
  • Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($25,000 vs. $30,000).
  • Among borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($258 vs. $310).
  • More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.