Wheaton College vs Vanguard University of Southern California
Wheaton College and Vanguard University of Southern California, both esteemed Christian institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Wheaton College, nestled in the vibrant city of Wheaton, Illinois, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 49% compared to Vanguard University's 65%. While Wheaton's student body is predominantly White (69%), Vanguard's student body reflects a more diverse population, with 38% White, 28% Hispanic, and 18% Asian students. Both institutions excel in academics, with Wheaton's popular majors including Biblical and Theological Studies, Psychology, and Business Administration, while Vanguard's strengths lie in Business, Psychology, and Communication. With graduation rates of 83% and 75% respectively, both colleges ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() Vanguard University of Southern California |
![]() Wheaton College |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Costa Mesa, California | Wheaton, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
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 | 75.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Undenominational |
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 69.0% | 86.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$30
|
SAT range | 980 - 1200 | 1250 - 1430 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | 32.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 25.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,917 | 1,993 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,013 | 1,719 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 500 | 546 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 31.8% |
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 | $54,700 |
Average net price | $20,427 | $28,319 |
Tuition | $37,000 | $40,570 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,588
Meal plan:
$5,430
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,640
Meal plan:
$4,660
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $27,535 |
91.0%
Average amount $23,469 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
95.0%
Average amount $5,626 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,169 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $15,362 |
5.0%
Average amount $15,404 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
1,975
Men 31.5% Women 68.5% |
2,341
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
Graduate students |
293
Men 31.4% Women 68.6% |
706
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 0.2% | 5.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,049 | 2,153 |
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 |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 61.5% | 87.6% |
Dropout rate | 37.7% | 3.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 9.1% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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)
|
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

































































































































































































































































