Vanguard University of Southern California vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (9,110 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); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanguard University of Southern California or UC Merced? 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 Merced than Vanguard University of Southern California ($13,690 vs. $23,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 37.3% lower than at University of California Merced ($13,450 vs. $21,445).
• Vanguard University of Southern California is 166.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Merced (about $26,077 more per year; $41,700.00 vs. $15,623.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at UC Merced than at Vanguard University of Southern California (about $8,123 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $41,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at University of California Merced (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 9.4% larger than aid received by University of California Merced students ($29,847 vs. $27,292).

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanguard University of Southern California (1090) is 40 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Vanguard University of Southern California students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 980/1200; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vanguard University of Southern California 19/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanguard University of Southern California - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) 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. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vanguard University of Southern California and UC Merced? 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 Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California's (55%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($19,899 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.