Vanguard University of Southern California vs Simpson University
Vanguard University of Southern California and Simpson University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Vanguard, a private Christian university in Costa Mesa, California, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a student body predominantly comprised of undergraduates. In contrast, Simpson, a private Christian university in Redding, California, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 68% and a more diverse student body, including a significant population of graduate students. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Vanguard is known for its strong programs in business, education, and nursing, while Simpson excels in fields such as psychology, social work, and natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Simpson University |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Redding, California | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 57.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 66.9% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
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 | 953 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 638 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 134 | 500 |
Yield rate | 21.0% | 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 | $58,121 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $25,311 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $34,400 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,300
Meal plan:
$5,600
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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) |
99.0%
Average amount $23,390 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,439 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $17,383 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
806
Men 42.8% Women 57.2% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
187
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 1.6% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 544 | 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 | 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 | 44.8% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 19.4% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | 35.8% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (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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