California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; 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 4.7% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($13,450 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $20,850 more per year; $41,700 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 177.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($29,847 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt average a 3.33 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 56%).

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