Vanguard University of Southern California vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 2,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vanguard University of Southern California is located in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanguard University of Southern California or CSUMB? 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 California State University Monterey Bay than Vanguard University of Southern California ($14,493 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 22% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($13,450 vs. $17,234).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 436.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $33,921 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.6% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $21,321 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Monterey Bay (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 144.9% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($29,847 vs. $12,185).

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vanguard University of Southern California or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB and Vanguard University of Southern California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 30 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vanguard University of Southern California and CSUMB? 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 California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($144 vs. $258).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.