VanderCook College of Music is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Chicago, Illinois. It enrolls 76 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes63
Value39
Affordability42
Selectivity23
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 89.5%, VanderCook College of Music is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
89.5%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether VanderCook College of Music is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
12.1 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending VanderCook College of Music isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $19,780 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$19,780
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
26%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
42%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$30,910
Room & Board (on-campus)
$14,008
Room & Board (off-campus)
$7,500
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,500
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,500
Total Cost of Attendance
$44,613
Application fee: $35 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$16,308
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,968
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,485
Over $110,000
$31,777
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$12,00025%percentile
$27,000Medianpercentile
$31,00075%percentile
What this means:
26% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
78% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
78%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered VanderCook College of Music earn a median of $47,863 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$47,863
Earning > $25K
79%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$2.4 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
VanderCook College of Music is home to 76 students, an intimate, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
76
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 42.1%32
Hispanic 36.8%28
Black 7.9%6
Other 6.6%5
Asian 2.6%2
International 1.3%1
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at VanderCook College of Music. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityChicago, Illinois
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
8%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
VanderCook College of Music offers
a focused set of programs:
3 distinct programs across
1 major.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at VanderCook College of Music is 4:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
4:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$7.0M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$61,080
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
9 instructional faculty across 3 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
4
44%
$64,063
Associate Professors
4
44%
$58,120
Assistant Professors
1
11%
$60,985
Pros & Cons of VanderCook College of Music
A quick at-a-glance summary of how VanderCook College of Music tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for:
Based on the data, VanderCook College of Music is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about VanderCook College of Music
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about VanderCook College of Music.
Is VanderCook College of Music hard to get into?
VanderCook College of Music has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 89.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at VanderCook College of Music?
VanderCook College of Music has an acceptance rate of 89.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does VanderCook College of Music cost?
The average net price after aid at VanderCook College of Music is $19,780 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is VanderCook College of Music worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $47,863 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $19,780 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is VanderCook College of Music known for?
VanderCook College of Music is best known for its programs in Teaching Specific Subjects, Teaching Specific Subjects, Teaching Specific Subjects. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do VanderCook College of Music graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering VanderCook College of Music are $47,863, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is VanderCook College of Music accredited?
Yes. VanderCook College of Music is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend VanderCook College of Music?
VanderCook College of Music enrolls 76 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is VanderCook College of Music a public or private college?
VanderCook College of Music is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is VanderCook College of Music located?
VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, Illinois.
What programs does VanderCook College of Music offer?
VanderCook College of Music offers 3 distinct programs. The most popular include Teaching Specific Subjects, Teaching Specific Subjects, Teaching Specific Subjects.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at VanderCook College of Music?
The student-to-faculty ratio at VanderCook College of Music is 4:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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