Vanguard University of Southern California vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Marcos is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (16,237 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 San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanguard University of Southern California or California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos than Vanguard University of Southern California ($10,241 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 5% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,450 vs. $14,152).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 416% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $33,618 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.6% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University San Marcos (about $21,018 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 168.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($29,847 vs. $11,123).

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vanguard University of Southern California or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Vanguard University of Southern California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 50 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) 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. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for Vanguard University of Southern California and California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $7,005 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,995 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($186 vs. $258).
• More California State University-San Marcos 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.