Vanguard University of Southern California vs Arizona Christian University
Vanguard University of Southern California and Arizona Christian University, both faith-based institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Vanguard, located in Costa Mesa, California, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Arizona Christian University's (ACU) 68%. While ACU's student body is predominantly female (61%), Vanguard's is more evenly balanced, with 49% male and 51% female students. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including Business, Psychology, and Education, but ACU also features programs in Nursing and Health Professions. With a higher graduation rate (68%) than ACU's 59%, Vanguard may be a more attractive option for students seeking a higher chance of completing their degree. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Arizona Christian University |
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Glendale, Arizona | Costa Mesa, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 48.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.9% | 69.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 960 - 1170 | 980 - 1200 |
ACT range | 16 - 23 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 22.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,222 | 2,917 |
Total number of admissions given out | 928 | 2,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 311 | 500 |
Yield rate | 33.5% | 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 | $49,424 | $60,800 |
Average net price | $32,412 | $20,427 |
Tuition | $28,874 | $37,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,775
Meal plan:
$5,670
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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 $15,438 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
93.0%
Average amount $4,172 |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
Students taking out private loans |
14.0%
Average amount $15,137 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,053
Men 60.7% Women 39.3% |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
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 | 3.1% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 540 | 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 | 18:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 35.8% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 53.3% | 37.7% |
Transferred out | 10.8% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor'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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