Vanguard University of Southern California
#4 Best Education Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,541 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,241 D+
- 24% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 62% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Education Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,756,556.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 46% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Vanguard University of Southern California Matters
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private university in Costa Mesa, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,933
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 27
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Vanguard University of Southern California
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 62% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,241 a year after grants and scholarships — 24% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,541 ten years after enrolling — 46% above the typical college, against $22,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 68% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.83 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nearly 2,000 students choose Vanguard University of Southern California for its close-knit community and strong programs in Business, Psychology, and Health Professions. With a 62% acceptance rate, it welcomes a diverse array of applicants, fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.
Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Vanguard, but the university does serve a significant number of Pell Grant recipients, with 44% of students receiving this financial aid. This suggests a commitment to supporting students from various economic backgrounds. While specific mobility metrics are absent, the school’s focus on upward mobility can be inferred from its program offerings that align with high-demand career fields.
The cost of attendance is $21,241, and graduates earn an average of $59,541 within ten years of completing their degrees. With a median debt of $22,000, students can expect a manageable financial burden post-graduation. Those who thrive here are often driven individuals pursuing careers in business, health, and education, looking for a supportive environment to launch their professional journeys.
Rankings
- #4 Best Education Colleges in California
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in California
- #12 Best Psychology Colleges in California
- #14 Best Online Colleges in California
- #16 Best Business Colleges in California
- #16 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #18 Best MBA Programs in California
- #24 Best Biology Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective Vanguard University of Southern California is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Vanguard University of Southern California? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Costa Mesa, California, Vanguard University of Southern California offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 62%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,494
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 2,778
- Admitted
- 2,079
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Vanguard University of Southern California? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Vanguard University of Southern California is $41,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,241. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,700
- Out-of-State
- $41,700
- Avg Net Price
- $21,241
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 57%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,225
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,462
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,976
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,684
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Vanguard University of Southern California — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Vanguard University of Southern California Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Vanguard University of Southern California earn a median of $59,541, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,464
- 8 Years
- $54,755
- 10 Years
- $59,541
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (180)
- 58%
- 100% (180)
- 58%
- 100% (180)
- 58%
- 100% (180)
- 58%
How Vanguard Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Vanguard University of Southern California Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Vanguard University of Southern California delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,241/year ($84,964 total). Graduates earn $59,541 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,841,520 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,756,556 (21.7× your investment). The median debt is $22,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $84,964
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,841,520
- Net Return
- $1,756,556
- ROI Multiple
- 21.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,241
- Median Debt
- $22,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Vanguard University of Southern California Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Vanguard University of Southern California is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.14%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,040
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,083,226
- Investment Income
- $-1,526,868
Top Programs
The fields Vanguard University of Southern California awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $48,356 early-career
- Psychology 17% $34,410 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $108,482 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Education 7% $70,251 early-career
- Communications 6% $39,261 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $31,312 early-career
- English & Literature 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Vanguard University of Southern California's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Vanguard University of Southern California? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Costa Mesa, California, Vanguard University of Southern California offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 62% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Vanguard University of Southern California? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Vanguard University of Southern California is $41,700, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,241. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,000 in federal student loans.
Is Vanguard University of Southern California Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Vanguard University of Southern California earn a median of $59,541, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Vanguard University of Southern California Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Vanguard University of Southern California is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.14%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Vanguard University of Southern California? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Vanguard University of Southern California. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Vanguard University of Southern California.
- Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer66% grad $59,317 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD · Close peer74% grad $59,217 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- North Park UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer57% grad $59,572 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Madonna UniversityLivonia, MI · Close peer59% grad $59,058 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse, NY · Close peer68% grad $55,763 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of CharlestonCharleston, WV · Close peer46% grad $55,774 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Vanguard University of Southern California? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Vanguard University of Southern California. Its economic connectedness score is 1.83, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note