University of California-Santa Cruz vs Vanguard University of Southern California
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Santa Cruz, CA. Vanguard University of Southern California is a private university in Costa Mesa, CA. Vanguard University of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants and University of California-Santa Cruz about 66%, making Vanguard University of Southern California the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,890 a year at University of California-Santa Cruz after aid, and about $21,241 at Vanguard University of Southern California. About 75% of students graduate at University of California-Santa Cruz, compared with 56% at Vanguard University of Southern California. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Santa Cruz alumni earn a median of about $68,396, against $59,541 for Vanguard University of Southern California.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Costa Mesa, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
17,940
1,933
Acceptance rate
66%
62%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–3.99
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1360
980–1200
ACT (middle 50%)
25–33
19–25
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,890
$21,241
Full cost / yr
$41,179
$52,665
In-state tuition
$16,005
$41,700
Out-of-state tuition
$50,205
$41,700
Application fee
$80
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,717
$17,225
$30k - $48k
$10,613
$18,462
$48k - $75k
$14,418
$18,976
$75k - $110k
$18,986
$24,117
Over $110k
$33,323
$27,684
Outcomes
Graduation rate
75%
56%
Freshman retention
88%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$49,716
$43,464
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,396
$59,541
Median debt at graduation
$16,666
$22,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
44%
First-generation students
37%
36%
International students
3%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Mar 2
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California harder to get into?
- Vanguard University of Southern California is harder to get into. It admits about 62% of applicants, compared with 66% at University of California-Santa Cruz. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,890 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,241 at Vanguard University of Southern California. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Santa Cruz and Vanguard University of Southern California?
- Before aid, University of California-Santa Cruz costs about $41,179 a year and Vanguard University of Southern California about $52,665. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California?
- University of California-Santa Cruz. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,717 there, against about $17,225 at Vanguard University of Southern California. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is the larger of the two, with about 17,940 undergraduates against 1,933 at Vanguard University of Southern California.
- Does University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Santa Cruz has the higher graduation rate, at about 75% against 56% at Vanguard University of Southern California.
- Do graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz or Vanguard University of Southern California earn more?
- University of California-Santa Cruz alumni earn more on average: a median of about $68,396 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,541 for Vanguard University of Southern California. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Santa Cruz and Vanguard University of Southern California require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Vanguard University of Southern California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Santa Cruz and Vanguard University of Southern California look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1360 at University of California-Santa Cruz and 980–1200 at Vanguard University of Southern California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-BerkeleyVanguard University of Southern California vs Pomona CollegeVanguard University of Southern California vs Claremont McKenna CollegeVanguard University of Southern California vs Pitzer College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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