Cal State Fullerton vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

California State University Fullerton and Vanguard University of Southern California side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Fullerton
Vanguard University of Southern California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanguard University of Southern California (62.4% admitted vs 90.5%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State Fullerton. Average net price is $7,064 vs $23,286 at Vanguard University of Southern California.
  • Graduation: Cal State Fullerton 50% vs Vanguard University of Southern California 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal State Fullerton $49,000 vs Vanguard University of Southern California $43,200 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Fullerton Vanguard University of Southern California
Acceptance rate
Vanguard University of Southern California more selective
Cal State Fullerton90.5%
Vanguard University of Southern California62.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vanguard University of Southern California higher
Cal State Fullerton1000-1180
Vanguard University of Southern California980-1200
Average net price
Cal State Fullerton $16,222 less
Cal State Fullerton$7,064
Vanguard University of Southern California$23,286
In-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $34,230 less
Cal State Fullerton$7,470
Vanguard University of Southern California$41,700
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $21,630 less
Cal State Fullerton$20,070
Vanguard University of Southern California$41,700
Graduation rate
Vanguard University of Southern California +5 pts
Cal State Fullerton50%
Vanguard University of Southern California55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cal State Fullerton +$5,800
Cal State Fullerton$49,000
Vanguard University of Southern California$43,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Admission chances
  • Cal State Fullerton My Chances
  • Vanguard University of Southern California My Chances
  • Applied
  • Cal State Fullerton 53,559
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3,948
  • Admitted
  • Cal State Fullerton 48,482
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,465
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal State Fullerton 90.5%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 62.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal State Fullerton 14.2%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal State Fullerton 1090
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal State Fullerton 20
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal State Fullerton 3.77
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3.31
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal State Fullerton A-
  • Vanguard University of Southern California B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal State Fullerton Very Easy
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal State Fullerton
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Low
  • SAT range
  • Cal State Fullerton 1000-1180
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • Cal State Fullerton 18-23
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal State Fullerton Test-free
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,470
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal State Fullerton $20,070
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Room & board
  • Cal State Fullerton $19,080
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $13,450
  • Average net price
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,064
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $23,286
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal State Fullerton $11,234
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $29,847
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal State Fullerton 78%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal State Fullerton 50%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal State Fullerton $49,000
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $43,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal State Fullerton 69%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal State Fullerton $15,000
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal State Fullerton $155
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal State Fullerton 26:1
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal State Fullerton
    • Business (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Vanguard University of Southern California
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Cal State Fullerton Fullerton, CA
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal State Fullerton Midsize City
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal State Fullerton 43,662
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,246
  • Type
  • Cal State Fullerton Public 4 Year
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal State Fullerton #799
  • Vanguard University of Southern California #565

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, 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 Fullerton is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • California State University Fullerton 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 Fullerton 26:1; 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 29.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,450 vs. $19,080).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fullerton (about $21,630 more per year; $41,700 vs. $20,070).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 165.7% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($29,847 vs. $11,234).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at Cal State Fullerton (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Cal State Fullerton and Vanguard University of Southern California.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal State Fullerton average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
  • More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 64%).

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

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