Westmont College vs Vanguard University of Southern California

Westmont College and Vanguard University of Southern California, both esteemed Christian liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Westmont, nestled in the picturesque Santa Barbara, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Vanguard, located in the vibrant city of Costa Mesa, offers a more diverse student body and a higher acceptance rate. While both institutions excel in the sciences and humanities, Westmont is known for its strong pre-professional programs, while Vanguard emphasizes its performing arts and nursing programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths, including graduation rates, popular majors, and student demographics, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Vanguard University of Southern California	Westmont College
Overview
Location	Costa Mesa, California	Santa Barbara, California
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: 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
Students retention rate	75.0%	85.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Protestant

Admission
Acceptance rate	69.0%	79.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45
SAT range	980 - 1200	1160 - 1460
ACT range	19 - 25	26 - 31
Students submitting SAT score	12.0%	18.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	2,917	2,344
Total number of admissions given out	2,013	1,851
Admitted students who chose to enroll	500	333
Yield rate	24.8%	18.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$60,800	$61,110
Average net price	$20,427	$33,554
Tuition	$37,000	$47,450
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,588 Meal plan: $5,430	Room/dormitory: $9,400 Meal plan: $5,970
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $27,535	99.0% Average amount $32,308
Students receiving federal student loan	95.0% Average amount $5,626	50.0% Average amount $5,052
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,362	25.0% Average amount $4,810

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,975 Men 31.5% Women 68.5%	1,238 Men 39.5% Women 60.5%
Graduate students	293 Men 31.4% Women 68.6%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	31.1%
International students	0.2%	1.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	1,049	1,207
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California Washington Oregon Colorado Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Psychology Business Education Health Professions Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Visual & Performing Arts Social Sciences Physical Science Philosophy and Religious Studies
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	61.5%	73.4%
Dropout rate	37.7%	26.6%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $116,679 Year 3: $134,779 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $91,857 Year 2: $91,300 Year 3: $89,882 Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $60,756 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,112 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $47,596 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,217 Year 2: $40,697 Year 3: $45,892 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $34,348 Year 3: $42,899 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,413 Year 2: $33,043 Year 3: $39,397 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $37,493 Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $35,701 Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $35,495	Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,792 Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $66,978 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,638 Year 2: $40,402 Year 3: $40,054 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,114 Year 2: $24,808 Year 3: $34,035 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,823 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: N/A Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,883 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,121 Year 2: $22,192 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,369 Year 2: $25,596 Year 3: N/A Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Westmont College and Vanguard University?

Westmont College is a liberal arts college emphasizing a broad-based education across humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Vanguard University, while also offering liberal arts programs, has a stronger emphasis on professional programs, particularly in areas like business, education, and ministry.
How do the campus cultures differ between Westmont and Vanguard?

Westmont College fosters a close-knit, residential community with a strong emphasis on intellectual engagement and spiritual formation within a broadly evangelical Christian context. Vanguard University, while also rooted in Christian values (Assemblies of God), tends to have a more diverse student body and a campus culture that balances academic pursuits with practical ministry and professional development opportunities.
What is the size difference between Westmont College and Vanguard University?

Westmont College is generally smaller, with an undergraduate enrollment typically around 1,200-1,300 students. Vanguard University is larger, usually enrolling around 2,000-2,200 undergraduate students. This difference in size can impact class sizes and the overall feel of the campus community.
How do the locations of Westmont and Vanguard impact the student experience?

Westmont College is located in Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara, offering a beautiful, relatively secluded campus with access to outdoor activities and a smaller city environment. Vanguard University is situated in Costa Mesa, part of the larger Orange County metropolitan area, providing students with access to a wider range of internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment options.
What are the religious affiliations of Westmont College and Vanguard University?

Both institutions are Christian colleges. Westmont College is interdenominational, attracting students from various evangelical Christian backgrounds. Vanguard University is affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, and its religious life and curriculum reflect this affiliation.
How do the costs of attending Westmont College and Vanguard University compare?

Generally, Westmont College tends to have a higher tuition cost compared to Vanguard University. However, the actual cost for each student can vary significantly based on financial aid packages, scholarships, and individual circumstances. It's best to compare the net cost (tuition minus aid) after receiving financial aid offers from both institutions.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at each institution?

Both Westmont College and Vanguard University offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and federal student loans. Westmont often provides generous merit-based scholarships based on academic achievement. Vanguard also offers scholarships, including those specific to students affiliated with the Assemblies of God. It's crucial to explore the specific scholarship opportunities and financial aid application processes for each college.
What are some popular majors offered at Westmont College?

Popular majors at Westmont College include Biology, Business and Economics, Communication Studies, English, Political Science, and Psychology. Westmont is known for its strong liberal arts foundation across all disciplines.
What are some popular majors offered at Vanguard University?

Popular majors at Vanguard University include Business Administration, Psychology, Kinesiology, Liberal Studies (Education), and Theology. Vanguard's programs often have a practical, career-oriented focus.
How do the athletic programs compare between Westmont College and Vanguard University?

Both Westmont College and Vanguard University have robust athletic programs. Westmont College competes in the NAIA Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) and offers a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball. Vanguard University also competes in the NAIA GSAC and offers similar sports, with a strong emphasis on competitive excellence.
What opportunities are available for students interested in global studies or study abroad?

Both Westmont College and Vanguard University offer study abroad programs. Westmont College has a well-established global education program with opportunities for students to study in various countries around the world. Vanguard University also provides study abroad options, often with a focus on missions or international development.
How do Westmont and Vanguard support students' spiritual development?

Both colleges integrate faith into the academic and co-curricular experience. Westmont College offers chapel services, Bible studies, and opportunities for spiritual mentorship. Vanguard University, as an Assemblies of God institution, emphasizes spiritual formation through chapel services, ministry opportunities, and theological coursework.
What career services and internship opportunities are available at each school?

Both Westmont College and Vanguard University provide career services to help students with career exploration, resume writing, and job searching. Vanguard University, located in a larger metropolitan area, may offer a wider range of internship opportunities in various industries. Westmont leverages its alumni network and location near Santa Barbara to provide internship and networking opportunities.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Westmont College and Vanguard University?

Westmont College typically has a lower student-faculty ratio, often around 12:1, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. Vanguard University's student-faculty ratio is generally higher, around 15:1 or 16:1, but still allows for meaningful interaction with faculty.

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