ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA SINCE 1920
On Location
4.6
Miles to the beach
100+
Intramural teams and clubs
247
300+
Days of sunshine in Southern California per year Palm trees on campus
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
Costa Mesa’s climate, amenities and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make Costa Mesa a great place to live.
Vanguard University CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Segerstrom Center for the Arts CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES
South Coast Plaza SHOP & DINE
The Camp & The Lab 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•Vacancy Coffee•602 Coffee & Acai• Work in Progress•Nudae Coffee•Coffee Nature•Alta Coffee
NEWPORT BEACH
Newport Beach is famous for its captivating beaches, majestic coastline and exciting activities.
Newport Beach Pier
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT
Fashion Island SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT
Lido Village 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
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT
Balboa Island SHOP, EAT, ENTERTAINMENT
Balboa Fun Zone ENTERTAINMENT, FREE
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach, known as “Surf City, USA”, represents true, authentic beach culture and provides the largest stretch of uninterrupted beachfront on the West Coast.
Huntington Beach Pier
SURF, SWIM, SHOP, EAT
Downtown HB SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT
Pacific City SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT
HB Art Center COMMUNITY ARTS
LAGUNA BEACH
Laguna Beach offers spectacular cliffs, clean beaches and an artistic atmosphere for shopping and dining.
Laguna Beach SURF, SWIM, SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT
Laguna Art Museum ART MUSEUM
Crystal Cove State Park HIKE, BIKE, BEACH
Top of the World SCENIC LOOKOUT POINT
Treasure Island Beach SURF, SWIM, SNORKEL
IRVINE
Irvine is a vibrant city known for its beautiful parks, top-notch schools and diverse communities.
Irvine Spectrum SHOP, DINE, ENTERTAINMENT
Great Park 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
Scan the QR code to download a complete copy of the OC Area Guide!
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 WILDLIFE ZOO
Old Towne Orange SHOP & DINE
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 YOUR STORY MATTERS .
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.
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.
200
35,000 1,340 TYPES OF FOOD OPTIONS
SQUARE FOOT BUILDING INDOOR CAPACITY
3,000 SQUARE FOOT FITNESS CENTER
Dr. Ben’s Coffee Bar
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 CENTER
Focus on your health and wellness at the Jeff and Kendra Motske Fitness Center.
DR. BEN‘S COFFEE BAR
Grab a latte and snack to-go at Dr. Ben’s Coffee Bar.
BRUCE LINDSAY CAF É
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.
Explore Your Calling
Student-tofaculty ratio 16:1
Average class size
21 35+
Academic degrees and programs
Of students live on campus 60%
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—21 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.
37,000+ 2,200 100+ VANGUARD ALUMNI
TOTAL ENROLLMENT YEARS OLD 99% STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
Expert Faculty
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
Accounting (BA)
Biology (BS)
Biology
Biomedical Science
Ecology
Neurobiology
Biotechnology (BS)
Business Administration (BA)
Chemistry
Communication (BA)
Film & Visual Storytelling
Public Relations
Sports Media
Technology & Emerging Media
Computer Science (BS)
Criminal Justice (BA)
Engineering Physics (BS)
English (BA)
Journalism & Digital Media
History & Political Science (BA)
Pre-Law Studies
Public Policy
Kinesiology (BS)
Health & Human Performance
Pre-Health Professions
Liberal Studies (BA) (Education)
Marketing (BA)
Management
Mathematics
Music (BA)
Music
Worship Leadership
Music Education (BM)
Nursing (BSN)
Psychology (BA)
Sociology (BA)
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Public Health
Social Work
Theatre Arts (BA)
Musical Theater
Stage & Screen Acting/Directing
Technical Production
Theology (BA)
Biblical Studies
Christian Formation & Discipleship
General Christian Studies
Intercultural Studies
Pastoral Leadership Studies
Women & Justice
Youth Leadership Studies
4-YEAR INTEGRATED BACHELOR’S & TEACHING CREDENTIAL
Biology, English, Liberal Studies, History & Political Science, Special Education
Student Experiences
Student events to attend 6+ 200+ Competitive athletic teams 19
Theater showcases open for the public
Clubs & organizations to choose from 25+
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 pursue God in community.
20+ 200+ 1:1
5 WORSHIP TEAMS ON CAMPUS
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
CHAPELS PER YEAR PASTORAL CARE & GUIDANCE
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 2025 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.
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 with your soon-to-be lifelong friends.
RESIDENCE HALLS ON CAMPUS
800+ STUDENTS COMMUTE TO CAMPUS
24 6 80+ HOUR SECURITY
STUDENT LEADERSHIP 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 AMENITIES
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.
COMMUTER EVENTS
Virtual trivia nights
Discord games
All-school party
Commuter lunches
Career conversations
All-school dodgeball
Escape rooms and more!
Lion Athletics
With a long 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 we enter the second year of provisional status in the NCAA Division II with anticipated full membership summer 2026. As members of the Pacific West Conference, Vanguard continues to embrace high standards of academic excellence, athletics success and Christ-centered leadership, now and in the future.
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
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 Society
Vanguard E-Sports Club
Veterans Connect
VU Chess Club
VU Pre-Health Careers
Scan to see more clubs and organizations!
Your Future Awaits
Vanguard is committed to making quality education accessible, with 99% of our students benefiting from financial aid. We are ranked #13 in the Best Value Schools in the West in 2024 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.
WHAT’S NEW AT VU?
FREED CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
The Freed Center combines the kinetic with the intellectual as it centralizes Lion Athletics and the Kinesiology program. Our more than 450 student-athletes now have dedicated spaces for exercise, physiotherapy and competition. Our Kinesiology majors have two cutting-edge labs to hone their skills as they prepare to be athletic trainers in one of the nation’s fastest growing professions. The Freed Center is 61,000 square-feet of multipurpose use.
PATTY ARVIELO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
The first school of business in the U.S. to be named after a Latina, the Patty Arvielo School of Business & Management offers undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing and Communication.
Patty Arvielo
Take the Next Steps
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.
