Vanguard University of Southern California
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$159,800
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,464/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
18.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
6%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Vanguard University alumni earn a median of $69,240, which is significantly higher than the annual tuition cost of $39,950. However, five years after graduation, median earnings decrease to $43,464, and increase again to $59,541 ten years after graduation. The university has a graduation rate of 57.6% and a retention rate of 73.7%.
The median debt for Vanguard University graduates is $22,000. With a median debt of $22,000 and a median salary of $69,240 one year after graduation, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.32. This indicates that the debt is a relatively small portion of the graduates' annual income.
Given the tuition cost and the one-year post-graduation earnings, the break-even point, or the time it takes for a graduate to earn the equivalent of their tuition cost, is less than one year. However, the five-year post-graduation earnings are less than the tuition cost. A significant portion of students, 84.1%, receive financial aid.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$39,950
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,464
Graduation Rate
58%
Receive Financial Aid
84%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $159,800 | $99,193 | 703% |
| Psychology, General. | $159,800 | $45,172 | 27% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $159,800 | $55,422 | 156% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $159,800 | $47,900 | 61% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $159,800 | $59,440 | 206% |
| Sociology. | $159,800 | $34,586 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $159,800 | $33,101 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $159,800 | $0 | N/A |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | $159,800 | $0 | N/A |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $159,800 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $159,800 | $0 | N/A |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $159,800 | $60,594 | 220% |
Peer Comparison
6%
20yr ROI
22%
20yr ROI
5%
20yr ROI
95%
20yr ROI
52%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.