Vanguard's required core curriculum includes courses on American politics and history, theology, fine arts, and public speaking.

[1] In summer 1920, Harold K. Needham, D. W. Kerr, and W. C. Pierce opened Southern California Bible School, an institution intended to prepare Christian workers for the various ministries of the church.

Its name was changed to Southern California College nine years later when majors in the liberal arts were added to the curriculum.

Vanguard's campus is in Costa Mesa, California, centrally located in Orange County and about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Subsequently, nine people have served as presidents of the university: Daniel W. Kerr, Irvine J. Harrison, John B. Scott, O.

Cope Budge, Emil A. Balliet, Wayne E. Kraiss, Murray W. Dempster, Carol Taylor, and Michael J. Beals, who assumed the office on August 1, 2013.

[9] In 2016, Beals, along with other conservative Christians,[10][11] publicly opposed California Senate Bill 1146 authored by Democrat Ricardo Laura.

The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) for most of its sports starting with the 2024-25 academic year.

Vanguard competes in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field, volleyball and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, dance, golf, soccer, sideline dance,[clarification needed] softball, stunt,[clarification needed] track & field, volleyball and wrestling.