UCSC vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 Santa Cruz than Vanguard University of Southern California ($18,059 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 32.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,450 vs. $19,948).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 160.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $25,695 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at UCSC than at Vanguard University of Southern California (about $8,505 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 31.1% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($29,847 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 170 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Incoming UCSC 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 Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

UCSC vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $5,041 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.