Saint Mary's College of California vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California 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: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($23,286 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 23.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,450 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 38.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanguard University of Southern California (about $16,103 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.6% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Vanguard University of Southern California (about $16,103 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Vanguard University of Southern California (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students ($42,407 vs. $29,847).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 70 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Vanguard University of Southern California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California and Saint Mary's College of California graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Vanguard University of Southern California and Saint Mary's College of California graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.