Vanguard University of Southern California vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to Vanguard University of Southern California or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Vanguard University of Southern California or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Vanguard University of Southern California vs. Columbia International University comparison
Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Location Costa Mesa, CA Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,256 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #660 #705
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vanguard.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $38,000 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $38,000 $25,620
Room & Board $10,290 $9,950
Avg Net Price $24,279 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $28,914 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,778 506
Admitted 2,079 244
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 48.2%
Enrolled % 26% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 16/25
SAT Range 980/1200 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (19%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 55% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,200 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $222

Diversity

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 72%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 36% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
% In-State 93% 59%
% Out-of-State 7% 38%

Campus

Vanguard University of Southern California Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 2,256 students)

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanguard University of Southern California or Columbia International University?

  • Vanguard University of Southern California is 48.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($38,000.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.3% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than Columbia International University ($38,000.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Vanguard University of Southern California ($19,911 vs. $24,279)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 3.4% lower than costs at Vanguard University of Southern California ($9,950 vs. $10,290)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 53.5% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($28,914 vs. $18,834)

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vanguard University of Southern California or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or Vanguard University of Southern California .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 70 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (975)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31)
  • Vanguard University of Southern California has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Vanguard University of Southern California or Columbia International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia International University and Vanguard University of Southern California.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California (57% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Vanguard University of Southern California earn on average $9,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($43,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/