San Jose State vs. Vanguard University of Southern California

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, 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 Jose State University is larger than Vanguard University of Southern California based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 2,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); Vanguard University of Southern California is in Costa Mesa, CA (Midsize City setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; 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 35.9% lower than at San Jose State University ($13,450 vs. $20,971).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.5% higher at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Jose State University (about $20,690 more per year; $41,700 vs. $21,010).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanguard University of Southern California than at San Jose State University (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanguard University of Southern California students is 141.6% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($29,847 vs. $12,353).

Admissions details

• Incoming San Jose State students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Vanguard University of Southern California (22).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both San Jose State and Vanguard University of Southern California.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; Vanguard University of Southern California Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at San Jose State average a 3.35 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Vanguard University of Southern California (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 19.7% at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanguard University of Southern California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanguard University of Southern California students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 64%).

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