Cal State LA vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; 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 31.7% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($13,450 vs. $19,696).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Los Angeles (about $21,940 more per year; $41,700 vs. $19,760).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 115.9% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($29,847 vs. $13,824).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at Cal State LA (22 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Cal State LA and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cal State LA students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $12,080 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($12,920 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($133 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 57%).

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