UC Davis vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Davis 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: University of California Davis 22:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

UC Davis vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis 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 University of California Davis than Vanguard University of Southern California ($17,270 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 30.8% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,450 vs. $19,426).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 148.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $24,926 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at UC Davis than at Vanguard University of Southern California (about $9,274 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at University of California Davis (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 21.4% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($29,847 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis 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 UC Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 190 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at Vanguard University of Southern California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• Vanguard University of Southern California has a higher acceptance rate (62.4%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

UC Davis vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis 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).

• University of California Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $22,000 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $10,324 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($14,676 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($151 vs. $258).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.