San Diego State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

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

San Diego State University
Vanguard University of Southern California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: San Diego State (36.2% admitted vs 62.4%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $23,286 at Vanguard University of Southern California.
  • Graduation: San Diego State 66% vs Vanguard University of Southern California 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: San Diego State $53,400 vs Vanguard University of Southern California $43,200 (median).
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Key differences

San Diego State University Vanguard University of Southern California
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
San Diego State36.2%
Vanguard University of Southern California62.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
San Diego State higher
San Diego State1090-1300
Vanguard University of Southern California980-1200
Average net price
San Diego State $8,582 less
San Diego State$14,704
Vanguard University of Southern California$23,286
In-state tuition
San Diego State $32,972 less
San Diego State$8,728
Vanguard University of Southern California$41,700
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $20,372 less
San Diego State$21,328
Vanguard University of Southern California$41,700
Graduation rate
San Diego State +11 pts
San Diego State66%
Vanguard University of Southern California55%
Median earnings (10 years)
San Diego State +$10,200
San Diego State$53,400
Vanguard University of Southern California$43,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at San Diego State Check my chances at Vanguard University of Southern California
  • Admission chances
  • San Diego State My Chances
  • Vanguard University of Southern California My Chances
  • Applied
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3,948
  • Admitted
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,465
  • Acceptance rate
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 62.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • San Diego State 25
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 3.31
  • Typical high school grades
  • San Diego State A-
  • Vanguard University of Southern California B+
  • Admissions standards
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • San Diego State High
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Low
  • SAT range
  • San Diego State 1090-1300
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • San Diego State 22-29
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $41,700
  • Room & board
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $13,450
  • Average net price
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $23,286
  • Average grant aid
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $29,847
  • % receiving grant aid
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $43,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • San Diego State $158
  • Vanguard University of Southern California $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Vanguard University of Southern California
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA
  • Setting
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Vanguard University of Southern California 2,246
  • Type
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • Vanguard University of Southern California Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • San Diego State #353
  • Vanguard University of Southern California #565

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with Vanguard University of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

San Diego State University is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • San Diego State University 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: San Diego State University 27:1; 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 41.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($13,450 vs. $23,030).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 95.5% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Diego State University (about $20,372 more per year; $41,700 vs. $21,328).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 147.6% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($29,847 vs. $12,053).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at San Diego State than at Vanguard University of Southern California (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both San Diego State and Vanguard University of Southern California.
  • Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at San Diego State average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.51 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $9,651 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($158 vs. $258).
  • More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation (65% 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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