Offering More than a College Degree
A Caring Community
From the moment you step on campus, you’ll feel welcomed into the Vanguard family. It begins with our friendly and helpful admissions staff. They’ll show you around campus and answer your questions. In no time you’ll know you’ve found a home.
We know that college is more than what happens inside the classroom. The friendships you make at VU will last you a lifetime and help get you through college. The mentorship of professors who care about you as a whole person will shape you academically, spiritually, and personally. From our Residence Life staff, to the career center, to the campus pastor, VU students are surrounded by a network of caring individuals. It’s what makes VU a great place to call home!
Rich Diversity
VU students are diverse— culturally, personally, and denominationally. Not only is our campus diverse, but so is our Southern California location. Vanguard is a great place to learn about yourself, and others!
Our students are:
- 66% female, 34% male
- 82% from California; 18% from 37 other states; 1% international students from 13 different countries
- From over 45 different denominations
- Ranked one of the Top 10 Most Diverse Comprehensive Colleges in the West by U.S. News and World Report.
Academic Excellence Meets Spiritual Growth
Our educational focus is you! And at Vanguard, we know the importance of challenging students both intellectually and spiritually. We won’t tell you what to think. We teach you how to think— with a biblical perspective central to everything we do.
- 70% of our professors hold doctorates, educating you in their field of expertise
- Our faculty to student ratio is 14:1, giving you more attention from professors
- We offer many study abroad programs, enriching your education through once-in-a-lifetime experiences
- Chapel is held four times a week, allowing students to mature in their faith as they listen to a broad range of speakers from VU professors, to missionaries, to Christians impacting our culture.
Location! Location! Location!
Located in the Southern California coastal city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard is able to provide a great education in a great environment. Not only does our setting provide beautiful weather and scenery, Orange County is a premier environment for business and ministry. Our graduates have a great reputation and job record in our community. Off work, they find themselves with broad opportunities for community, spirituality, enrichment and entertainment. Students (especially students of church leadership) enjoy an excellent range of churches from the mega-church (Saddleback Church, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, EV Free Fullerton, Anaheim Vineyard, Mariners, Templo Calvario, and many more ) to very traditional fellowships.
- An average of 329 days a year of sunshine in Southern California
- 233 palm trees on campus
- Over 150 languages spoken throughout the region
- Less than 5 miles to the beach
- Cultural attractions such as museums and performing arts centers are located close to the University
More on location
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Now Go Anywhere!
For all of the reasons mentioned above, our students are able to go anywhere— from the boardroom, to the classroom, the home, the mission field, and everywhere else! Vanguard alumni and students are taking an active role in building the kingdom of God and shaping our culture and world. Hear what our students, alumni, and others are saying!
Where Some of Our Alumni have Gone:
- Larry Kraiss: surgeon and associate professor of surgery at the University of Utah Medical Center
- Eduardo Lee: co-founder and co-owner of Wahoo’s Fish Taco
- Daniel Amen: M.D., NY Times best-selling author and pioneer in psychiatry and brain imaging procedures
- Larry Mantle: host of AirTalk on National Public Radio station KPCC
- Jesse Miranda: President of Alianza de Ministerios Evangelicos Nacionales
- Ralph Carmichael: Christian music pioneer, composer, and conductor of Young Messiah tour
- Mark Johnson: production manager for Juxt Interactive
- Dennis Lindsay: president of Christ for the Nations Institute