California State University-Fresno vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 Fresno is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Fresno 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 Fresno 22:1; Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 11.1% lower than at Vanguard University of Southern California ($11,960 vs. $13,450).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fresno (about $21,750 more per year; $41,700 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fresno (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 142.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($29,847 vs. $12,326).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University-Fresno (22 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Vanguard University of Southern California average a 3.31 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 63%).

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