Dominican-California vs Vanguard University of Southern California
Dominican University of California and Vanguard University of Southern California, both located in vibrant regions of California, offer distinct educational experiences. Dominican, a private Catholic university in San Rafael, boasts a diverse student body and a strong liberal arts foundation. Vanguard, a private Christian university in Costa Mesa, emphasizes spiritual growth and service alongside academic pursuits. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dominican University of California |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | San Rafael, 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 | 81.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 92.9% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1063 - 1275 | 980 - 1200 |
ACT range | 20 - 25 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,981 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,841 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 245 | 500 |
Yield rate | 13.3% | 24.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not 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 | $71,124 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $45,001 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $47,190 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,702
Meal plan:
$7,070
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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) |
100.0%
Average amount $18,547 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $3,740 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $17,248 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,249
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students |
606
Men 24.4% Women 75.6% |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 13.7% | N/A |
International students | 6.1% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 535 | 1,049 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Arizona Pennsylvania Colorado | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 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 | 77.4% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 7.9% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | 14.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (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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