Vanguard University of Southern California — College Profile

About

Vanguard University of Southern California, located in coastal Costa Mesa, is a premier private Christian institution recognized for integrating robust faith with academic excellence as Orange County's first four-year college. The university is highly regarded for its top-tier nursing program, alongside prestigious, highly enrolled majors in business administration, psychology, and kinesiology. On campus, students experience a vibrant, Christ-centered community defined by spiritual growth through chapel services, a close-knit support system, and competitive NAIA athletics, all located just minutes from Newport Beach. Distinctively designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Vanguard stands out for its richly diverse student body, offering a deeply personalized, values-driven education in the heart of Southern California.

Wikipedia:Vanguard University is a private Protestant university in Costa Mesa, California. Vanguard's required core curriculum includes courses on American politics and history, theology, fine arts, and public speaking.

Location

Costa Mesa, CA, 92626 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

SNA · Orange County

2 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$41,700

Housing & food (on campus)$13,450

Books & supplies$1,060

Cost of attendance$52,665

Average net price$21,241

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$41,700

Housing & food (on campus)$13,450

Books & supplies$1,060

Cost of attendance$52,665

Average net price$21,241

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$17,225

$30–48k

$18,462

$48–75k

$18,976

$75–110k

$24,117

$110k+

$27,684

Your family's actual price → Vanguard University of Southern California net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

56%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

52%

Back for yr 2

70%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

61% graduated · 31% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$43,464

10 yrs after entry$59,541

Debt

Median at graduation$22,000

Monthly payment$233

Middle 50% owe$8k–$27k

90th percentile$36,882

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (medium programs): 52% graduate within 6 yrs, $51,562 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

62%

Test policy

Not required

Per College Scorecard

ACT midpoint

Wondering if Vanguard University of Southern California is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first

Essay prompts

If Vanguard University of Southern California asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 33%Women 67%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

44%

First-gen

36%

Family income

$42,880

Independent

21%

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

11%

Race & ethnicity

White

31%

Hispanic

47%

Black

Asian

Two or more

NH/PI

Unknown

10%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Beach Volleyball
Women's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Other Sports
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Men's · Women's
Wrestling
Men's · Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$43,464

After 10 yrs

$59,541

Psychology, General74

Business Administration, Management and Operations60

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness50

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing39

Communication and Media Studies27

Sociology25

Biology, General15

Religion/Religious Studies15

Education, General14

History14

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries12

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft11

Marketing10

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods9

Music7

English Language and Literature, General6

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$18M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$9,494/mo

Teaching spend

$8,587

per student

Federal loans

57%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (medium programs)

Undergraduate profile