Costa Mesa, CA Overview
Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Costa Mesa, California. There are currently 2,001 undergraduates at Vanguard and the school’s acceptance rate is 75%. The tuition at Vanguard is $38,700.
Vanguard is a Assemblies of God school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Assemblies of God faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Vanguard to help you make an educated decision.
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,001
Pell Grant 42%
Undergrad Students Over 25 11%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 9%
Percent Male / Female 33% / 67%
Ethnic Diversity at Vanguard
47% Hispanic
32% White
8% Unknown
5% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Black
3% Multiracial
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
16:1
Graduation Rate
60%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Psychology
16%
16% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
15%
15% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
10%
10% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
9%
9% of graduates
Education
8%
8% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
4%
4% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$53,150
$29,355
$23,795
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$53,150for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Vanguard is $53,150. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Vanguard would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Vanguard
If you reside in California and are considering Vanguard, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
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Vanguard University of Southern California Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Vanguard University of Southern California need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Vanguard University of Southern California is 001293.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Pell Grants at Vanguard University of Southern California
51% of students at Vanguard University of Southern California receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Vanguard University of Southern California.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Vanguard students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
75%
22
Is Vanguard test-optional?
Vanguard University of Southern California is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Action
Rolling deadline at Vanguard
Vanguard University of Southern California accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Vanguard's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Should I apply Early Action at Vanguard?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$59,541
Median Debt $22,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $233
Graduation Rate 60%
What is the graduation rate at Vanguard University of Southern California?
60% of students who start at Vanguard University of Southern California end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 2% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Vanguard University of Southern California go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Vanguard University of Southern California, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $59,541. This is $9,150 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Vanguard take out in loans?
Graduates of Vanguard have to take out a median of $22,000 in federal student loans. This is $8,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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