Mount St. Mary's University vs Vanguard University of Southern California
Mount St. Mary's University and Vanguard University of Southern California, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Mount St. Mary's, a private Catholic university in Emmitsburg, Maryland, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 42% male and 58% female undergraduates. Vanguard, a private Christian university in Costa Mesa, California, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 68% and a more balanced gender ratio, with 48% male and 52% female undergraduates. While Mount St. Mary's excels in nursing, biology, and psychology, Vanguard shines in business, communication, and psychology. With graduation rates of 63% and 58% respectively, both universities provide ample opportunities for students to succeed and achieve their academic goals. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these universities and make an informed decision about your educational journey.
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![]() Mount St. Mary's University |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Emmitsburg, Maryland | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 77.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.8% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | N/A | 980 - 1200 |
ACT range | N/A | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,620 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,777 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 532 | 500 |
Yield rate | 14.1% | 24.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $55,850 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $24,471 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $43,250 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,110
Meal plan:
$6,850
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Room/dormitory:
$6,588
Meal plan:
$5,430
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $34,403 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $15,802 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,055
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
515
Men 61.6% Women 38.4% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.5% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,483 | 1,049 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 61.5% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 4.0% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | 34.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Bachelor's Degrees)
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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