Sonoma State University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

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

Sonoma State University is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Sonoma 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: Sonoma State University 17:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Sonoma State University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State 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 Sonoma State University than Vanguard University of Southern California ($14,614 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 20% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,450 vs. $16,802).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 383.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $33,076 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.5% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at Sonoma State University (about $20,476 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at Sonoma State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 228.2% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($29,847 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State 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 Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 40 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

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

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State 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).

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($180 vs. $258).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.