CSU vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 Chico is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Chico 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 Chico 23:1; 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 18.5% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,450 vs. $16,500).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.9% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Chico (about $20,628 more per year; $41,700 vs. $21,072).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 159.3% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($29,847 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at CSU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 64%).

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