University of San Diego vs Vanguard University of Southern California
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in sunny Southern California, where two esteemed institutions await: the University of San Diego (USD) and Vanguard University of Southern California (Vanguard). While both offer exceptional academic experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while Vanguard maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Explore their contrasting popular majors, from USD's strength in business and engineering to Vanguard's focus on the liberal arts and sciences. Discover the nuances in their graduation rates, reflecting each university's commitment to student success. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further details and determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of San Diego |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | San Diego, California | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 75.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.7% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$45
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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 | 14,326 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,550 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,166 | 500 |
Yield rate | 15.4% | 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 | $75,982 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $34,155 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $52,120 | $37,000 |
Room & board | $16,246 |
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) |
82.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $12,155 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,702
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
3,339
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 45.5% | N/A |
International students | 6.2% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 2,484 | 1,049 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Arizona Nevada | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.0% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 19.5% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (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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