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Vanguard University of Southern California vs Westmont College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Costa Mesa CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Santa Barbara CA

The verdict

Westmont College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,212 in 7.1 years versus 7.6 years at Vanguard University of Southern California, on median earnings of $64,778 vs $59,541 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureVanguard University of Southern CaliforniaWestmont College
Net price / yr$21,241$29,053
Total net cost$84,964$116,212
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,541$64,778
Median debt$22,000$23,250
Payback7.6 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$138,656$212,148

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

Which is cheaper, Vanguard University of Southern California or Westmont College?

Vanguard University of Southern California, at $21,241 a year after aid versus $29,053 — a gap of $7,812 a year, or $31,248 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 Westmont College graduates earn more?

Westmont College graduates report a median $64,778 ten years after entry, $5,237 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, Vanguard University of Southern California or Westmont College?

Vanguard University of Southern California: its completers carry a median $22,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Westmont College, a difference of $1,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Westmont 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.

Vanguard University of Southern California vs Westmont College: frequently asked questions

Is Vanguard University of Southern California or Westmont College a better value?
Westmont College. It clears its $116,212 net cost in about 7.1 years versus 7.6 years at Vanguard University of Southern California, on median earnings of $64,778 vs $59,541 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Vanguard University of Southern California or Westmont College?
Vanguard University of Southern California: $21,241/yr net price after aid versus $29,053/yr at Westmont College — a difference of $7,812 a year, or about $31,248 over four years.
Do Vanguard University of Southern California or Westmont College graduates earn more?
Westmont College graduates earn a median $64,778 ten years after entry, versus $59,541 at Vanguard University of Southern California — a $5,237 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.