Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Should I go to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo or Vanguard University of Southern California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cal Poly or Vanguard University of Southern California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Caltech UCSB San Diego State UCSC UCSD UC Davis UW-Seattle California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona UCI Colorado School of Mines UC Merced
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo vs. Vanguard University of Southern California comparison
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Vanguard University of Southern California College 3 College 4
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Location San Luis Obispo, CA Costa Mesa, CA
Setting Small Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 22,000 2,256
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #155 #660
Religious Affiliation - Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calpoly.edu vanguard.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $38,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $38,000
Room & Board $16,449 $10,290
Avg Net Price $19,184 $24,279
Avg Grant Aid $10,065 $28,914
% Receiving Grant Aid 42% 100%

Admission

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 58,774 2,778
Admitted 17,885 2,079
Acceptance Rate 30.4% 74.8%
Enrolled % 28.6% 26%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.31
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 26/32 19/25
SAT Range 1220/1410 980/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (19%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Graduation Rate 75% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $69,400 $43,200
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,666 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $193 $258

Diversity

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
% Men 51% 33%
% Women 49% 67%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 45%
% Black 1% 5%
% Hispanic 16% 36%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
% In-State 83% 93%
% Out-of-State 16% 7%

Campus

Cal Poly Vanguard University of Southern California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 2,256 students)

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Vanguard University of Southern California?

  • Vanguard University of Southern California is 561.8% more expensive to attend than Cal Poly for in-state tuition ($38,000.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 115.6% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($38,000.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Vanguard University of Southern California ($19,184 vs. $24,279)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 59.9% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($10,290 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 187.3% larger than aid received California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($28,914 vs. $10,065)

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Vanguard University of Southern California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Vanguard University of Southern California or Cal Poly .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 284 points higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (975)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (21)
  • Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31)
  • Vanguard University of Southern California has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

Cal Poly vs. Vanguard University of Southern California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cal Poly or Vanguard University of Southern California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Vanguard University of Southern California and Cal Poly.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than Vanguard University of Southern California (75% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $26,200 more per year than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $43,200)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $6,334 lower median federal student loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates. ($18,666 vs. $25,000)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates. ($193 vs. $258)
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/