Vanguard University of Southern California vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Vanguard University of Southern California and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size, location, and academic focus. Vanguard, a private Christian university nestled in Costa Mesa, California, offers a close-knit community and a faith-based education, while MIT, a world-renowned research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is known for its rigorous academics and cutting-edge research. With acceptance rates of 75% and 7%, respectively, these universities cater to different student profiles. While Vanguard boasts a diverse student body with a significant international presence, MIT's student population is predominantly domestic. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic and personal aspirations.
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![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 99.0% | 75.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.1% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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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 | 33,240 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,365 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,177 | 500 |
Yield rate | 86.2% | 24.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $58,920 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $30,958 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $55,510 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,550
Meal plan:
$6,550
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Room/dormitory:
$6,588
Meal plan:
$5,430
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $32,562 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
6.0%
Average amount $5,112 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $17,891 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,638
Men 51.9% Women 48.1% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
7,296
Men 62.0% Women 38.0% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 29.2% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 6,280 | 1,049 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas New York Florida New Jersey | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England 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 | 96.2% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 3.0% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master'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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