San Francisco State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, 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 Francisco State University is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• San Francisco 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 Francisco State University 19:1; 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 39.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($13,450 vs. $22,266).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.9% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Francisco State University (about $21,150 more per year; $41,700 vs. $20,550).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Francisco State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 129.7% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($29,847 vs. $12,996).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Francisco State (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both San Francisco State and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman San Francisco State 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 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($178 vs. $258).
• More Vanguard University of Southern California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State 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.