San Francisco State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• San Francisco State University 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: San Francisco State University 19:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

San Francisco State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University than Vanguard University of Southern California ($13,168 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 39.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($13,450 vs. $22,266).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 424.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $33,750 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.9% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Francisco State University (about $21,150 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Francisco State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 129.7% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($29,847 vs. $12,996).

San Francisco State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco 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 San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 60 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Francisco State students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

San Francisco State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($178 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.