Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Costa Mesa, California |
| Online | vanguard.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Religious Affiliation | Assemblies of God Church |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Vanguard University of Southern California is situated in Costa Mesa, California, approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles in Orange County's coastal region. The private Christian institution, founded in 1920 as the Southern California Bible School, operates on a 38-acre suburban campus featuring Spanish-style architecture. This liberal arts university maintains its affiliation with the Assemblies of God denomination while offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in psychology, business, nursing, and theological studies. The campus provides traditional dormitory housing for undergraduate students, with most first-year students required to live on campus. Vanguard competes in the NAIA Golden State Athletic Conference, with its athletic teams known as the Lions.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Vanguard University of Southern California is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Vanguard University of Southern California within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#636 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#427 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#43 in Best Colleges in California
#28 in Best Private Colleges in California
#218 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 980/1200 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.31 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $45 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $935 |
| Other Fees | $700 |
| Room and Board | $10,790 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,875 |
| Total One Year Cost | $57,550 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 32% |
| Psychology | 19% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Theology and Religious Vvocations | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Vanguard University of Southern California are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=123651 IPEDS survey data for Vanguard University of Southern California.
Current students may use the Vanguard University of Southern California GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025