California Baptist University vs Vanguard University of Southern California: which has better ROI?
Vanguard University of Southern California has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,964 in 7.6 years versus 8 years at California Baptist University, on median earnings of $59,541 vs $61,504 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California Baptist University | Vanguard University of Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,285 | $21,241 |
| Total net cost | $105,140 | $84,964 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,504 | $59,541 |
| Median debt | $26,063 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 8 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $157,740 | $138,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California Baptist University or Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California, at $21,241 a year after aid versus $26,285 — a gap of $5,044 a year, or $20,176 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California Baptist University or Vanguard University of Southern California graduates earn more?
California Baptist University graduates report a median $61,504 ten years after entry, $1,963 more than the $59,541 at Vanguard University of Southern California. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, California Baptist University or Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California: its completers carry a median $22,000 in federal loans versus $26,063 at California Baptist University, a difference of $4,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at California Baptist University, against 57% at Vanguard University of Southern California. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.