WE ARE VU
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY ORANGE COUNTY, CA SINCE 1920
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On Location Where your journey begins and a world of opportunity awaits. Area Guide Your Story Matters Going the Distance Student Center
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Explore Your Calling Vanguard‘s academic programs will prepare you for a life of leadership and service. Make an Impact Expert Faculty Majors & Minors
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Student Experiences Explore campus life, get involved and take part in new student experiences. Faith & Service Beyond the Classroom Your Story Explore Your New Home Lion Athletics Campus Clubs & Organizations
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Your Future Awaits Join the Vanguard community and discover the story God has for you. Next Steps Mission Statement
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0 4 | O N L O C AT I O N
On Location
4.6
Miles to the beach
100+
Intramural teams and clubs
247
Palm trees on campus
300+
Days of sunshine in Southern California per year
91
Fullerton
Buena Park
57
5 Long Beach Airport
605
Angel Stadium
Knott's Berry Farm
old towne orange
Disneyland
Anaheim
Orange
california adventure
Tustin
22 Seal Beach
Santa Ana
Garden Grove
Santa Ana Zoo
pac ific coa
South Coast Plaza
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55
hig
405
hw
pacific city
ay
OC Fairgrounds
Irvine
Huntington Beach huntington beach pier
Irvine Spectrum
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Newport Beach
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
Costa Mesa
John Wayne Airport
newport pier
73 balboa pier
Balboa Beach
Crystal Cove state park
Fashion Island Crystal Cove
Catalina Island
1 Laguna Beach
ORANGE COUNTY AREA GUIDE Orange County is a treasure trove of exciting activities, sights and delicious coffee shops to discover. From the picturesque beaches of Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach to the vibrant downtown areas of Anaheim and Santa Ana, there’s something for everyone in this sun-kissed county. COSTA MESA
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Costa Mesa’s climate, amenities and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make Costa Mesa a great place to live.
Huntington Beach, known as “Surf City, USA”, represents true, authentic beach culture and provides the largest stretch of uninterrupted beachfront on the West Coast.
Vanguard University Orange Coast Museum of Art Segerstrom Center for the Arts South Coast Plaza The Camp & The Lab
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES SHOP & DINE SHOP, EAT, LIVE MUSIC
LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS Nook Coffee Bar•Lion & Lamb Coffee Roasters•Herst Coffee Hola Adios Coffee Shop•Neat Coffee•Portola Coffee Roasters MoonGoat Coffee Roasters•Daydream Surf Shop•Salty Horse Vacancy Coffee•602 Coffee & Acai• Work in Progress•Nudae Coffee•Coffee Nature•Alta Coffee•Kingdom Coffee
NEWPORT BEACH Newport Beach is famous for its captivating beaches, majestic coastline and exciting activities.
Newport Beach Pier Fashion Island Lido Village
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT SHOP & DINE
BALBOA Balboa is known for its pristine harbor and quaint auto-ferry that can be taken from Balboa Island to Balboa Peninsula.
Balboa Beach Pier Balboa Island Balboa Fun Zone
Scan the QR code to download a complete copy of the OC Area Guide!
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT SHOP, EAT, ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT, FREE
Huntington Beach Pier Downtown HB Pacific City HB Art Center
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY ARTS
LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach offers spectacular cliffs, clean beaches and an artistic atmosphere for shopping and dining.
Laguna Beach Laguna Art Museum Crystal Cove State Park Top of the World Treasure Island Beach
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT ART MUSEUM HIKE, BIKE, BEACH SCENIC LOOKOUT POINT SURF, SWIM, SNORKEL
IRVINE Irvine is a vibrant city known for its beautiful parks, top-notch schools and diverse communities.
Irvine Spectrum Great Park
SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT HIKES, ARTS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS
ANAHEIM Anaheim is famous for its theme parks and offers a blend of entertainment, culture, and attractions.
Disneyland/CA Adventure Knott’s Berry Farm Angel Stadium Honda Center
THEME PARK THEME PARK SPORTS/EVENTS STADIUM SPORTS/EVENTS ARENA
SANTA ANA/ORANGE Orange and Santa Ana present their own unique charm, each showcasing a mix of history, art and culture.
Santa Ana Zoo Old Towne Orange
WILDLIFE ZOO SHOP & DINE
0 8 | YO U R S T O RY M AT T E R S
Your Story Matters
Orange County’s first four-year college, Vanguard has been equipping students since 1920. Today we continue to offer a top-rated Christian education, combined with practical skills and training in liberal arts and sciences, to prepare you for the next chapter in your life. With a tight-knit community of 2,200 students, Vanguard is a campus where you are known, where YOU R S TO RY MAT TE R S.
1 0 | G O I N G T H E D I S TA N C E
Going the Distance Back Bay Loop Trail
At Vanguard, we’ve come up with the perfect mix: unbeatable academic training, a caring community where lifelong friendships are born, a beautiful campus near Southern California’s beaches and cultural attractions, and a strong spiritual foundation that puts Christ at the center of it all. We go beyond scholarship, beyond the classroom and beyond the expected—equipping you to lead the story God has for you.
12 | STUDENT CENTER
Student Center The 35,000 square foot Waugh Student Center is a space for students, staff, faculty and alumni to build and engage in community. The first floor houses a café, coffee bar, commuter-friendly kitchen and lockers and convertible forum for banquets, events or athletics. The second floor houses a 3,000 square foot fitness center and an outdoor terrace—a popular spot to hold class, study next to the fireplace, or enjoy panoramic views of campus.
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FF E CO E
HE TC N
Dr. Ben’s Coffee Bar
35,000
3,000
200
1,340
SQUARE FOOT BUILDING
SQUARE FOOT FITNESS C ENTER
T YPES OF FOOD OP TIONS
INDOOR C APAC IT Y
HEATH FORUM
Join your fellow Lions for an event or drop in for a pick-up basketball game at the Paul and Barbara Heath Forum.
FITNESS C E NTE R
Focus on your health and wellness at the Jeff and Kendra Motske Fitness Center.
DR. BE N‘S COFFE E BAR
Grab a latte and snack to-go at Dr. Ben’s Coffee Bar.
BRUC E LINDSAY CAFÉ
The Bruce Lindsay Café serves more than 200 types of food from our salad bar, to pizza fresh from the oven and daily international favorites.
1 6 | E X P L O R E YO U R C A L L I N G
Explore Your Calling
13:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
20 Average class size
40+ Academic degrees and programs
60% Of students live on campus
1 8 | M A K E A N I M PAC T
Make an Impact Vanguard University offers a wide variety of academic programs to choose from, so you can make an impact in any field when you start your career. With outstanding faculty and small class sizes—20 students on average—every diploma is backed by personalized instruction. For over 100 years, this approach has yielded a distinguished list of alumni—leading scientists, best-selling authors, award winning television and film producers, top political analysts, city leaders, national recognized educators, CEOs and non-profit executives, doctors and healthcare providers and world-changing ministers.
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2,200
99%
37,000+
100+
TOTAL ENROLL MENT
STUDENTS REC E IVE FINANC IAL AID
VANGUARD ALUMNI
YE ARS OLD
2 0 | E X P E R T FA C U LT Y
Expert Faculty
Meet the faculty who are at the heart of Vanguard’s mission to provide a transformational education.
We’ve brought together a team of highly qualified professors who love God and are passionate about teaching. Vanguard professors hold doctorate degrees from prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Cornell, Columbia, USC, NYU and Vanderbilt. And have advised the President of the United States, testified before state committees, received a guest maestro position at Carnegie Hall and been quoted as experts in the Los Angeles Times. As a student, these same professors are there to encourage and guide you as you live out the story God has prepared for you.
Majors & Minors
Major
Accounting Biology Biomedical Science Ecology Neurobiology Biotechnology Business Business Administration Chemistry Coaching Commercial Music Communication Communication & Media Film & Visual Storytelling Social Media & Content Creation Computer Science Criminal Justice Criminology & Criminal Justice Digital Marketing & Public Relations Engineering Physics English History & Political Science Honors Humanities Human Biology Journalism & Digital Media Kinesiology Health & Human Performance Pre-Health Professions Sports Ministry Sport and Fitness Management Liberal Studies (Education) Management
Minor
Concentration
Marketing Mathematics Ministry Management Music Music & Worship Arts Commercial Music Artistry Commercial Studio Production Ministry Leadership Music Education (Pre-Teacher Certificate) Nursing (BSN) Organizational Communication Pre-Law Studies Psychology Health Psychology Public Health Public Relations Real Estate Sociology Social Work Sport and Fitness Management Sports Media Theatre Arts Musical Theatre Stage & Screen Acting/Directing Technical Production Theology Biblical Studies Christian Studies Intercultural Studies Pastoral Leadership Studies Women & Justice
4-YEAR INTEGRATED BACHELOR’S & TEACHING CREDENTIAL
LAKE ERIE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Vanguard puts you on the fast track to the front of the classroom. ITEP folds your California teaching credential into your bachelor’s degree, so you’re teaching a year sooner than you planned.
Medical school begins right here at Vanguard. Our LECOM partnership gives you the head start—and the support—to get there.
Programs eligible: Biology, English, Liberal Studies, History & Political Science
Programs eligible: Biology (Neurobiology and Biomedical Science), Biotechnology, and Human Biology Scan the QR code to learn more.
24 | STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Student Experiences
19
Competitive athletic teams
5+
Theater showcases open for the public
200+
Student events to attend
25+
Clubs & organizations to choose from
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FA I T H & S E RV I C E
Go Deeper in Faith Spiritual growth is at the heart of the Vanguard journey. Founded by the Assemblies of God denomination, the University embraces its Pentecostal heritage of Spirit-empowered life and thought. We want students to discover their God-given calling, and then engage the culture around them from a Christian point of view. Worship and Service are an integral part of the student experience and foundational to holistic development during college. Vanguard provides students with over 200 chapel opportunities and over a dozen local and global mission trip locations per year to strengthen their faith and
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pursue God in community.
200+
5
20+
1:1
C HAPEL S PER YE AR
WORSHIP TE A MS ON C A MPUS
SM ALL GROUP MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
PASTOR AL C ARE & GUIDANC E
2 8 | B E YO N D T H E C L A S S O O M
Beyond the Classroom SEE THE WORLD. SERVE OTHERS. CONNECT YOUR CALLING.
Vanguard education prepares you for more, with experiences that challenge you. Where academic learning, cultural immersion, and service happen all at once. Through faculty-led programs, travel alongside professors who care about your story: study, serve, study, and discover how your calling connects to the broader world.
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OV
U DY E RV E
• DISC
For deeper experience, Vanguard offers semester study abroad in many locations worldwide. Your story is bigger than one campus. Find out how far it goes.
ST
•S
Students have studied Bible Lands of Greece and Turkey, explored international marketing in Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid, led soccer ministry in Northern Ireland, supported special needs children in Sri Lanka, partnered on water projects in El Salvador, served refugees in Athens, and learned from antitrafficking groups across Europe.
Academic Year 2025-2026
50+
5+
70,000+
30%+
STUDENTS SENT
SUMMER STUDY & SERVE TE A MS
MILES FLOWN
FIRST-TIME INTERNATIONAL TR AVELERS
3 0 | YO U R STO RY
Live in Sunny California
Your life will be fostered in a diverse campus community in one of the most vibrant coastal cities famed for its sunny weather. Vanguard is located in Costa Mesa, a place that’s dubbed Orange County’s “capital of cool” by the OC Register and ranked #5 in the Niche 2026 Best College Locations in California. Surrounded by the career opportunities that come with living in Orange County, home to several Fortune 500 companies and the action sports capital of the world, you gain access to unique internships and influential business leaders.
3 2 | E X P L O R E YO U R N E W H O M E
Adventure Awaits Whether you’re commuting from nearby or living on campus, Vanguard offers a vibrant array of programs and activities designed to enrich your college experience. Our Commuter and Campus Programs are dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive community where every student can thrive and get involved in campus life. At Vanguard, we encourage you to push yourself to try something new—whether it’s surfing or paddle boarding, sampling international cuisines or attending your first opera on the 14-acre Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus just down the street. Share these new adventures
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with your soon-to-be lifelong friends.
ELCO
6
700+
24
80+
RESIDENC E HALL S ON C A MPUS
STUDENTS COMMUTE TO C A MPUS
HOUR SECURIT Y
STUDENT LE ADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
DORM ROOMS
In all six residence halls, each room has its own private bathroom and access to shared laundry facilities and common spaces.
CAMPUS AME NITIES
Fire pits 24-hour security Dr. Ben’s Coffee Shop Wi-Fi across campus Weight room/Fitness amenities Basketball courts Hammock stands
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Discover endless opportunities for student leadership and personal growth through engaging campus activities and a vibrant community.
COMMUTE R EVE NTS
Virtual trivia nights Discord games All-school party Commuter lunches Career conversations All-school dodgeball Escape rooms and more!
3 6 | L I O N AT H L E T I C S
Lion Athletics
With a history of success in intercollegiate athletics, including 96 Golden State Athletic Conference Team Championships and 20 NAIA national titles, a new chapter in our story begins as the Lions join the NCAA Division II competing in the Pacific West Conference. As the competition increases in the NCAA, VU’s student-athletes continue to embrace the high standards of academic excellence, athletics success, and Christ-centered leadership Vanguard is known for.
3 8 | L I O N AT H L E T I C S
VANGUARD LIONS INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC TEAMS MEN’S BASEBALL BASKETBALL CROSS COUNTRY GOLF SOCCER TRACK & FIELD VOLLEYBALL WRESTLING
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BEACH VOLLEYBALL CROSS COUNTRY DANCE GOLF SOCCER SOFTBALL STUNT TRACK & FIELD VOLLEYBALL WRESTLING
40 | CAMPUS CLUBS
CAMPUS CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS APIC - Asian Pacific Islander Club BSU - Black Student Union Delight El Puente First 2 VU Justice Advocates Society Live2Free - Human Rights Club SAO - Sigma Alpha Omega Teachers of Tomorrow The Mix Ultimate Frisbee Club Vanguard Creative Writing Vanguard E-Sports Club Veterans Connect VU Chess Club VU Pre-Health Careers
Scan to see more clubs and organizations!
4 2 | YO U R F U T U R E AWA I T S
Your Future Awaits
Vanguard is committed to making quality education accessible, with 99% of our students benefiting from financial aid. We are ranked #14 in the Best Value Schools in the West in 2026 by U.S. News & World Report. Last year, Vanguard students received over $49 million in gift aid. To ensure you receive the grants, scholarships or loans you qualify for, our admissions counselors will walk you through the financial aid application process. You might get an academic merit scholarship, a need-based grant or a talent scholarship for involvement in music, theatre or athletics. You might be offered an on-campus job. Whatever the case, we put the Vanguard experience within reach of every student who wants their journey to pass through here.
44 | NEXT STEPS
Take the Next Steps
Visit
our campus
Apply to Vanguard and complete your online application
Follow
us on social media
The mission of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith and equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.
U.S. NEWS & WO RLD REP O RT
Vanguard University, a first-tier university in the West 800.722.6279
VA N G U A R D.E D U admissions@vanguard.edu
714.966.5496
55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626