Vanguard University of Southern California vs North Central University
Vanguard University of Southern California and North Central University, both located in Southern California, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. With acceptance rates of 68% and 75% respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body. Vanguard, a private Christian university, boasts a strong emphasis on faith-based learning, while North Central, a private non-sectarian university, offers a more secular curriculum. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Vanguard is known for its popular majors in Business, Psychology, and Education, while North Central excels in Nursing, Business, and Psychology. With graduation rates of 62% and 48% respectively, both institutions provide ample support to help students achieve their academic goals. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the unique offerings and distinctions between these two esteemed universities, and make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
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![]() North Central University |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 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 | 76.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 94.0% | 69.0% |
Application fees | $25 |
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 | 553 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 520 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 188 | 500 |
Yield rate | 36.2% | 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 | $40,855 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $24,232 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $26,350 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,740
Meal plan:
$3,940
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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) |
97.0%
Average amount $15,128 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,021 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $13,650 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
950
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
84
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
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 | 1.6% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 913 | 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 | 15:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.1% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 39.1% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Bachelor's Degrees)
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious/Sacred Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (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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