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Vanguard University of Southern California

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-04-23T10:00:00
Location: Vanguard University of Southern California

Vanguard University

Costa Mesa, California 92626

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Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Known for business

Vanguard University of Southern California is a private institution in Costa Mesa with particular strength in business and psychology.

A small campus of 2K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,541 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,761.

Established

1920

Motto

Truth. Virtue. Service

Type

Private university

Conference

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Campus Visits

36 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, Apr 10 · Campus Tour

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65%Acceptance

—SAT Avg

1,975Students

16:1Student:Faculty

56%Grad Rate

$59,541Earnings 10yr

$19,761Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Vanguard University of Southern California Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate64.7%

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

64.7%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$39,950

Room & Board$10,790

Books & Supplies$935

Total Cost of Attendance$50,178

Average Net Price$19,761

Median Debt at Graduation$22,000

Monthly Payment (10yr)$233

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,906

$30–48K$14,528

$48–75K$17,411

$75–110K$19,543

$110K+$27,190

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$19,761

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

1600.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

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Programs (39)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

1,975

Gender Split

65% / 35%

Women / Men

First Generation

36%

Pell Grant Recipients

43%

Race & Ethnicity

White 31%

Black 5%

Hispanic 48%

Asian 4%

Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate55.9%

Freshman Retention73.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,464

8 Years$54,755

10 Years$59,541

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$43,400

Men

$59,000

Rankings

U.S. News

#124

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More About This School

Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•History In summer 1920, Harold K.
•Pierce opened Southern California Bible School, an institution intended to prepare Christian workers for the various ministries of the church.
•The school moved from Los Angeles to Pasadena in 1927, and was chartered by the state of California in 1939 to grant degrees.
•Given this new distinction, the former Southern California Bible School became Southern California Bible College, the first four-year institution of the Assemblies of God.
•In 1943 the college received recognition by the government for the training of military chaplains.

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Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

153Very High

Estimated from CA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M

33 mi(57 min)

San Diegopop. 1.4M

78 mi(135 min)

Phoenixpop. 1.6M

336 mi(582 min)

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Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles35 mi

SAN San Diego76 mi

LAS Las Vegas229 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2586 mi · ~74h 42m drive

New York, NY2439 mi · ~70h 28m drive

Hartford, CT2505 mi · ~72h 22m drive

Providence, RI2569 mi · ~74h 13m drive

Albany, NY2448 mi · ~70h 43m drive

Syracuse, NY2327 mi · ~67h 13m drive

Rochester, NY2254 mi · ~65h 7m drive

Buffalo, NY2189 mi · ~63h 14m drive

Philadelphia, PA2381 mi · ~68h 47m drive

Pittsburgh, PA2125 mi · ~61h 23m drive

Harrisburg, PA2289 mi · ~66h 8m drive

Newark, NJ2430 mi · ~70h 12m drive

Washington, DC2285 mi · ~66h 1m drive

Baltimore, MD2306 mi · ~66h 37m drive

Atlanta, GA1918 mi · ~55h 25m drive

Charlotte, NC2102 mi · ~60h 43m drive

Raleigh, NC2220 mi · ~64h 8m drive

Miami, FL2314 mi · ~66h 51m drive

Orlando, FL2178 mi · ~62h 55m drive

Tampa, FL2129 mi · ~61h 30m drive

Nashville, TN1764 mi · ~50h 58m drive

New Orleans, LA1649 mi · ~47h 38m drive

Richmond, VA2272 mi · ~65h 38m drive

Chicago, IL1737 mi · ~50h 11m drive

Detroit, MI1974 mi · ~57h 2m drive

Minneapolis, MN1522 mi · ~43h 58m drive

St. Louis, MO1577 mi · ~45h 33m drive

Kansas City, MO1346 mi · ~38h 53m drive

Indianapolis, IN1798 mi · ~51h 57m drive

Columbus, OH1966 mi · ~56h 48m drive

Cleveland, OH2039 mi · ~58h 54m drive

Milwaukee, WI1738 mi · ~50h 13m drive

Dallas, TX1219 mi · ~35h 13m drive

Houston, TX1349 mi · ~38h 58m drive

Austin, TX1203 mi · ~34h 45m drive

San Antonio, TX1178 mi · ~34h 2m drive

Los Angeles, CA33 mi · ~57 min drive

San Francisco, CA381 mi · ~11h drive

San Diego, CA78 mi · ~2h 15m drive

Seattle, WA991 mi · ~28h 38m drive

Portland, OR857 mi · ~24h 45m drive

Denver, CO828 mi · ~23h 55m drive

Phoenix, AZ336 mi · ~9h 42m drive

Salt Lake City, UT591 mi · ~17h 4m drive

Honolulu, HI2575 mi · ~74h 23m drive

Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Budget

Airport Transit

Los Angeles (LAX)35 miles

Rental car

53 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

70 min$42-70

San Diego (SAN)76 miles

Rental car

114 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

152 min$91-152

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Deadline Calendar

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Vanguard University of Southern California Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

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Vanguard University of Southern California Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award