3 Highly Rated Vanguard Mutual Funds Worth Considering for Purchase

Overview of Vanguard

Established by John C. Bogle on May 1, 1975, Vanguard has grown into one of the world’s leading asset management firms. With its headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the company managed assets totaling $11 trillion globally as of July 31, 2025. By the end of 2024, Vanguard employed over 20,000 people worldwide and provided 222 funds in the U.S. along with 228 international funds, serving millions of investors.

Vanguard’s Distinctive Structure

Vanguard stands out in the mutual fund industry because it is wholly owned by its funds. This unique ownership model, according to the company, enables it to prioritize the interests of its shareholders. One of Vanguard’s main selling points is its commitment to offering low-cost, no-load funds, meaning investors are not charged fees when buying or selling shares.

Three Highly Rated Vanguard Funds

Here are three Vanguard funds that have received top marks:

• Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (VWUSX)
• Vanguard Growth & Income Fund (VQNPX)
• Vanguard Whitehall Funds, Selected Value Fund (VASVX)

All three funds have achieved a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong potential to outperform their peers.

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (VWUSX)

This fund primarily invests in large-cap U.S. companies with strong earnings growth prospects and reasonable valuations. As of November 2025, it held 109 different securities, with NVIDIA accounting for 11.2% of its assets. Over the past three years, the fund has delivered an annualized return of 24.6%.

Vanguard Growth & Income Fund (VQNPX)

Focusing on stocks that offer both dividend income and capital appreciation, this fund uses quantitative strategies to select a diversified portfolio. Its holdings are similar to those in the S&P 500 Index but are chosen for their potential to outperform the index. The fund’s three-year annualized return stands at 21.3%, and it features a low expense ratio of 0.39%.

Vanguard Whitehall Funds, Selected Value Fund (VASVX)

This fund targets mid-cap U.S. companies that are considered undervalued and often provide higher-than-average dividend yields. The managers look for stocks trading below typical valuation metrics, such as earnings and book value. Over the last three years, the fund has achieved an 11.9% return. Richard Lawrence Greenberg has been one of its managers since February 2025.