Smith Chason College vs Vanguard University of Southern California: which has better ROI?
Smith Chason College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $68,734 in 7.1 years versus 7.6 years at Vanguard University of Southern California, on median earnings of $58,004 vs $59,541 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Smith Chason College | Vanguard University of Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,367 | $21,241 |
| Total net cost | $68,734 | $84,964 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,004 | $59,541 |
| Median debt | $21,397 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 7.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $124,146 | $138,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Smith Chason College or Vanguard University of Southern California?
Vanguard University of Southern California, at $21,241 a year after aid versus $34,367 — a gap of $13,126 a year, or $16,230 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Smith Chason College or Vanguard University of Southern California graduates earn more?
Vanguard University of Southern California graduates report a median $59,541 ten years after entry, $1,537 more than the $58,004 at Smith Chason College. 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, Smith Chason College or Vanguard University of Southern California?
Smith Chason College: its completers carry a median $21,397 in federal loans versus $22,000 at Vanguard University of Southern California, a difference of $603. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Smith Chason College, 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.