Vanguard University of Southern California vs Pitzer College
Vanguard University of Southern California and Pitzer College, while both located in Southern California, offer distinct educational experiences. Vanguard, a private Christian university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Pitzer's selective admissions (13%). In terms of student body, Vanguard's undergraduate population is predominantly female (60%), while Pitzer's is more evenly balanced (51% female, 49% male). Both institutions excel in different areas: Vanguard is known for its strong programs in nursing, business, and education, while Pitzer shines in social sciences, humanities, and environmental studies. With Vanguard's higher graduation rate (68%) and Pitzer's lower student-faculty ratio (9:1), prospective students can delve into the comparison table to discover which institution better aligns with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pitzer College |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Claremont, California | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: 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 | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.3% | 69.0% |
Application fees | $70 |
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 | 3,676 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 673 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 357 | 500 |
Yield rate | 53.0% | 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 | $74,950 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $19,153 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $57,686 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,282
Meal plan:
$7,898
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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) |
42.0%
Average amount $39,399 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $3,323 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $14,063 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,168
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
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 | 7.2% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 972 | 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 | 12:1 | 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 | 88.4% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 11.2% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (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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