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Vanguard University of Southern California vs Southern California Institute of Architecture: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Costa Mesa CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Southern California Institute of Architecture has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $175,692 in 7.5 years versus 7.6 years at Vanguard University of Southern California, on median earnings of $71,909 vs $59,541 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureVanguard University of Southern CaliforniaSouthern California Institute of Architecture
Net price / yr$21,241$43,923
Total net cost$84,964$175,692
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,541$71,909
Median debt$22,000—
Payback7.6 yrs7.5 yrs
20-year net return$138,656$295,288

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Vanguard University of Southern California or Southern California Institute of Architecture?

Vanguard University of Southern California, at $21,241 a year after aid versus $43,923 — a gap of $22,682 a year, or $90,728 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Vanguard University of Southern California or Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn more?

Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates report a median $71,909 ten years after entry, $12,368 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 graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Southern California Institute of Architecture, 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.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs Southern California Institute of Architecture: frequently asked questions

Is Vanguard University of Southern California or Southern California Institute of Architecture a better value?
Southern California Institute of Architecture. It clears its $175,692 net cost in about 7.5 years versus 7.6 years at Vanguard University of Southern California, on median earnings of $71,909 vs $59,541 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Vanguard University of Southern California or Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Vanguard University of Southern California: $21,241/yr net price after aid versus $43,923/yr at Southern California Institute of Architecture — a difference of $22,682 a year, or about $90,728 over four years.
Do Vanguard University of Southern California or Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn more?
Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn a median $71,909 ten years after entry, versus $59,541 at Vanguard University of Southern California — a $12,368 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.