Vanguard University of Southern California vs Fresno Pacific University
Vanguard University of Southern California and Fresno Pacific University, both esteemed private Christian universities in California, offer distinct educational experiences. Vanguard, located in Costa Mesa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Fresno Pacific's (68%). While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, Vanguard excels in the fields of Business, Psychology, and Communication, while Fresno Pacific shines in Nursing, Education, and Kinesiology. Vanguard's student body is predominantly White (54%) and female (60%), while Fresno Pacific's student population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (30%) and male (49%) students. With similar graduation rates hovering around 60%, both universities prioritize student success and provide ample support to help students achieve their academic goals. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your aspirations and preferences.
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![]() Fresno Pacific University |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Fresno, 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 | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.9% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$45
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Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 970 - 1240 | 980 - 1200 |
ACT range | 17 - 24 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 917 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 714 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 200 | 500 |
Yield rate | 28.0% | 24.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not 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 | $49,480 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $15,350 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $32,954 | $37,000 |
Room & board | $8,710 |
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) |
98.0%
Average amount $23,925 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $4,300 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $16,889 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,686
Men 27.3% Women 72.7% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
838
Men 26.4% Women 73.6% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 2.2% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 574 | 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 | 11:1 | 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 | 67.7% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 4.9% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | 26.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (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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