About Vanguard University of Southern California

Founded in 1920, Vanguard University of Southern California. is a Private college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,791 full time undergraduate students, and 313 full time graduate students.

The Vanguard University of Southern California Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 13:1. There are 80 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Vanguard University of Southern California include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate70%
Application Deadline
Application Fee45
SAT Range830-1030
ACT Range17-24

Admissions at VU are considered Selective, with ,23% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 29 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

78% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 29% were in the top quarter, and 22% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Vanguard University of Southern California REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    69 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    43 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    69 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    71 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    71 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 73 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    71 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    71 Students rated local services 4.5 stars. 65 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    70 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Vanguard University of Southern California?

30 Students rated Vanguard University of Southern California

Abigail - 06/29/2022

Vanguard University of Southern California is a great school to attend. The environment on campus is always friendly and encouraging. This place feels like a home away from home at times. There is also always something to do on campus, whether it be a club, sporting event, dorm event, theater production, or just people hanging out!

Dorien

Vanguard is a great school. I'd say high morale and high fun. It has a perfect balance that some lack to see.

Ashley

At Vanguard, you will be integrated into a community of life long learners and world changers. You will be challenged daily by your professors and peers to consider worldviews different from your own. You will be more than a number: people will know your name. As an English major, I've been in a class with eight other students and it was wonderful to receive individualized mentoring. Students are encouraged to put their learning to use through missions trips, study abroad, and internships. English majors are encouraged to go write for local magazines and newspapers, while History and Poli-Sci majors have the chance to study in DC and intern at the capitol. Communications majors get to go to Sundance Film Festival and Business majors have a trip to Australia. The theater department is one of the best in Orange County. The dorms are not stellar, but at least there are no community bathrooms. Only the sophomore girls get AC. The cafeteria is always a source of complaint. They try too hard to be exotic and they never have enough gluten free options. However, the small coffee shop on campus is always busy and students love to sit together in the courtyard between classes.

Damariz

I think Vanguard University is a great school. I enjoy going to class everyday, attending chapel, hanging out with friends for dinner and many class events. I also love the community and how together we going each other to deepen our faith. I love that academics and faith are integrated and how we are all in this together.

Vanguard University of Southern California FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Vanguard University of Southern California?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Vanguard University of Southern California is 70%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell anyone as well as myself to look more at the little things in chosing a College, like the food, lifestyle, living conditions, and such. Noticing the smaller things and being able to like them will make your experience at college much more enjoyable.

    Read all  73 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    the price

    Read all  19 answers
  4. Describe the students at your school.

    For instance, In my Theology 101 class, I pretty much get along with everyone knowing that we discuss how God created the heavens & the earth. In Cornerstone class, It has to do with writing & teach us how to get better and improve at writing , I tend to get along with everyone because not all of my classmates have the same mind set, but we try to understand each other what one is trying to say as in having a discussion or an argument on a topic and we all get into it.

    Read all  16 answers
  5. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person who wants to learn and have access to diversity. People who would want a Christian orianted school.

    Read all  13 answers
  6. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The fact that Vanguard University is a Private Christian Univesity and that it has a small student body of 2,000 studenst.

    Read all  12 answers
  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I went to a college prep school so I feel like I was very prepared both academically and socially to go to a small college.

    Read all  12 answers
  8. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school has good quality academics as well as friendly staff and students.

    Read all  11 answers
  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    This is a predominantly christian school so those who would feel offended being required to attend chapel several times a week should not attend.

    Read all  11 answers
  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Being very laid back and a "beachy" styled school.

    Read all  10 answers
  11. What's unique about your campus?

    The people. Both the students and faculty are kind and good people. Relationships made while attending this school will last a lifetime.

    Read all  10 answers
  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The Cafe meal plan, it should have the cost of meals transfer to outtakes. If you don't use your meals you lose them. And it is not written correctly about how outtakes works.

    Read all  6 answers
  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Our professors care a great deal about helping students to succeed. The smaller class sizes give them opportunity to be a mentor as well as a teacher. Our campus tutoring center also offers free tutoring to students who need a little extra assistance in a particular subject. This center also provides jobs for students who need flexible work schedules. When eating in the Cafe, I feel at ease approaching complete strangers and having a meal with them. I have made many friends on our campus because of their openess and willingness to connect with others in the community.

    Read all  6 answers
  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    What I love about Vanguard is how close everyone is. When I got here freshman year, everyone was SO accepting of me. Being somewhat of an outcast in junior high and high school, I was surprised how friendly people were. People will literally come up to you and introduce themselves if you're sitting alone at lunch- or even just in line for food at the caf. And EVERYONE holds the door open for you--even girls, which is really sweet. One time when I got my printer in the mail, I was struggling to carry it to my class, and someone that I didn't even know just offered to help me. Vanguard is really small though. If you mention that you go to Vanguard to people outside of Vanguard, they will typically never have heard about it, and you will have to explain that it is a small private school, and not a technical school or community college. The campus itself is extremely small, and if you don't have a car, it's easy to feel very closed off from the world (the 'Vanguard Bubble' as it is termed by students). I myself don't have a car, but I use my bike and the public transportation to get around as much as I can. Even then, I don't get off campus nearly as much as I'd like to. I am currently saving up for a car. :) I am also getting more involved in a nearby church (but not TOO nearby). On campus, I usually end up spending my time in my room or in my friends rooms, though I can often be found outside on a bench reading or doing homework, or in the Library. Most people hang out in the cove- which has a really nice coffee shop feeling to it. Vanguard administration and services have often been criticized as being inadequate. Just last year, there was a huge scandal about the school spending too much money which ended in a change of president, and budget cuts such as taking out the computer lab (which a lot of students are enraged about-and rightfully so) The financial aid office is known for being heartless and unhelpful, but they still manage to hand out really great financial aid packages. The cafeteria is also notorious for questionable food and service. However, they have made a huge effort to make it fairly healthy, and there are quite a bit of options. But if you are eating there for every meal it gets boring really fast. Breakfasts are the best because the cooks make a mean omelette. :) The school pride at Vanguard is almost non-existant. There is no football team and no cheerleading squad, and therefore no spirit whatsoever. No one except for athletes themselves ever dress up in school colors for anything, and there are no set spirit days.

    Read all  1 answers
  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    All the girls go there to get married. The sports teams do a lot of drugs and alchohol. It's really white.

    Read all  1 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    If you want to get involved on campus, there are a lot of great ways. Though they are mandatory, chapels are wonderfully lead. There are a lot of wonderful Bible studies you can be involved in (especially freshman year) as well as a prayer group on Thursday nights. There are a lot of great clubs, though I know of few people who actual attend one. Some include Live2Free (women's rights/domestic violence issues), Mosaic (diversity), and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise- a business/community service club). A campus favorite is Delivery Boys and Entourage- both comedy groups that travel to youth camps during the summer and act at events on campus during the school year. The only difference between the two is that Delivery Boys is a group of males, and Entourage is a group of females. Last but not least is the welcome group for freshman and transfers--frontline. Frontline is AMAZING! Frontline is how I met one of my best friends (and through her I met two of my other best friends). I also became very good friends with my frontline leaders. Frontline is a great way to break you into the Vanguard community and get you a little more comfortable. DON'T skip it if you end up coming to Vanguard. You WILL regret it. Atleast that's my opinion I'm not involved in any campus groups at this moment, though I am thinking of beginning a club soon. Whether doors are open or not depends on what dorms you live in. Huntington and Laguna (the towers) are very social and most everyone will have their doors open. The other dorms like Catalina are a little more lax so a lot of people shut their doors, though everyone is still super-sweet and friendly (I actually like Catalina more because of this- I'm a really chill person, so I like the relaxed feel here). Almost no one goes to athletic events. It's a sad truth. We have quite a few guest speakers in chapel, but not otherwise. We do have a theater, and the theater dept. puts on WONDERFUL plays. Not enough people go to them though. It's sad. Many of Vanguard's extracurriculars are under-represented. The dating scene is complicated. Most people are either at boyfriend/girlfriend status or single. Almost no one just dates around like normal people. Here's an interesting fact: the girl to boy ratio at vanguard is 3 to 1. So there are ALOT of single women. Vanguard has a lot of great events. Some are pretty lame, but a lot are really fun. GYRAD (stands for Get Your Roommate a Date) for example, is really fun as is HABU (Hook a Brother Up)--GYRAD for the dudes. Woofest and Mr. VU (contest) are also very entertaining and well known. Most of the people I know don't really party. There's a lot of people that go clubbing, though I don't know how wild it gets. Drinking is against school code though and most are pretty good about following that code. There are no fraternities or sororities. Most people are gone on the weekends so campus is pretty empty. If you are on campus on the weekends though, there's so much to do. Self Serve Frozen Yogurt places (FroYo) are very popular and there are SO many. If you have a Disneyland pass, Anaheim is only 20 minutes away. Newport beach is even closer, and very beautiful and relaxing. A lot of people hang out at target, which is kind of weird I suppose, but it can be fun if you go with the right people. Also nearby is Tewinkle park, the OC Fairgrounds, Woodbridge Dollar Theater, and South Coast Plaza (mall). Me and my friends have a lot of fun hanging out in the dorms, though, as well.

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    Vanguard academics are GREAT. Not only do we have wonderful acadmeics, but we also have a pretty light homework load--unless you're a biology major. A majority of students are religion majors but the theater and film majors are well known for their excellence. Most of the other majors are wonderful too though. The only programs that are less-than-adequate are the math majors and art minor. They're actually doing away with the math major soon. The art minor just started though, so it may improve in coming years. My major-business- is also a very good program, though so far there has been a lot of classes I haven't enjoyed a whole lot- namely computer applications and accounting, but they are still very helpful as far as job training goes. I am looking forward to higher level business courses :). By the way-the best business teacher I've had so far is Stachowiak-she's wonderful :) and now she's my academic advisor! :) Teachers at Vanguard are very accessible as well as helpful and understanding. The most well known and liked professors are Camery-Hoggatt, Roberson, Robinette, and Marley. At least those are the ones that come to mind right now. I have only met one professor so far that I really haven't liked-DON'T TAKE GAULT!! It seems like most students study alone, though depending on how hard the class is and what your major is, group studying will occur as well. Biology majors, for example, are often very connected, and are often found studying together in the hallways. There's quite a bit of class participation, depending on the class of course. Classes like sociology are obviously more hands on while some classes, like New Testament involve more listening than anything else-though all classes are equally enjoyable--except for a select few general ed. classes. I wouldn't say that many students have intellectual conversations outside of class. At least in my friend groups. Though I think religion majors do have quite a few deep spiritual conversations. I haven't yet taken any really unique classes, though I am planning on taking Human Sexuality soon. I will say that my favorite class so far has been New Testament because the teacher is AMAZING. I unfortunately haven't spent a lot of time outside of class with my professors, though I want to start doing that, and a lot of other students do it. Vanguard's academic requirements are fairly reasonable. There are ALOT of required religion classes, but it's not too bad, and the ones I've taken so far are enjoyable. In fact, if you take two extra religion classes, you can have a religion minor. I feel Vanguard has an equal balance between learning for learning's sake and job geared education.

    Read all  1 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Sadly, yes, for the most part. Even the girls that make fun of girls for being really boy crazy are extremely boy crazy themselves. 'Ring by spring' is the term used by students that means that girls always expect a ring by spring semester. This one is more of a rumor and less of a reality, thankfully for all you men out there. I'm not as sure about the sports teams, but I have heard a few people talking about going to a hookah bar. The baseball team has the WORST reputation for bad behavior. There ARE quite a few white people, but there's still quite a bit of diversity.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

66%

female

34%

male

1,791

Total Undergrad Enrollment

313

Total Grad Students

14%

Out-Of-State

86%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

10

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

44%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
37%
% White or Caucasian
44%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

99% of students attending Vanguard University of Southern California receive some sort of financial aid. 60% were awarded federal grants. While 94% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$31,430

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,400

Books and Supplies

$9,310

Room and Board

42,140

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$19,452
$30 - $48K
$24,876
$48 - $75K
$29,677
$75 - $110K
$33,013
$110K & UP
$34,929

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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