CSU Bakersfield vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, 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 University Bakersfield is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield 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 University Bakersfield 20:1; 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 10.8% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($13,450 vs. $15,076).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Bakersfield (about $21,010 more per year; $41,700 vs. $20,690).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 130.2% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($29,847 vs. $12,966).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU Bakersfield and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $11,832 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($13,168 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($136 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 54%).

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