Vanguard University of Southern California vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

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

Vanguard University of Southern California is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (2,246 students vs. 418 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vanguard University of Southern California is located in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanguard University of Southern California or SCI-Arc? 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 Vanguard University of Southern California than SCI-Arc ($23,286 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 1.1% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($13,450 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 34.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanguard University of Southern California (about $14,462 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.7% higher at SCI-Arc than at Vanguard University of Southern California (about $14,462 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (100% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 42.8% larger than aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students ($42,627 vs. $29,847).

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 40 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) 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. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vanguard University of Southern California and SCI-Arc? 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).

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have a $17,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($25,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Vanguard University of Southern California graduates have an estimated $184 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($258 vs. $442).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 62%)

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.