California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vanguard University of Southern California are 19.4% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($13,450 vs. $16,682).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.6% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $21,320 more per year; $41,700 vs. $20,380).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 152.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($29,847 vs. $11,833).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona than at Vanguard University of Southern California (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($196 vs. $258).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.