VanderCook College of Music
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · offers Graduate degrees
89%Acceptance rate
$19,780Average net price / year
67%Graduation rate
$47,863Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$27,000Median debt at graduation
76Undergraduates
Cost
- In-state tuition & fees
- $30,910
- Total cost of attendance
- $44,613
- Room & board
- $14,008
- Books & supplies
- $1,200
- Average net price
- $19,780
Net price by family income
- $0–30k
- $16,308
- $48–75k
- $17,968
- $75–110k
- $20,485
- $110k+
- $31,777
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 89.5%
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 67%
- First-year retention
- 88%
- Median earnings (6 yrs)
- $45,704
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $47,863
- Median debt (graduates)
- $27,000
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0.0%
- Students with Pell grants
- 26%
- Students with federal loans
- 42%
Programs: what graduates earn
1 of 5 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).
Bachelor's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 7 | $43,100 | $27,000 |
Students
- Undergraduates
- 76
- Graduate students
- 838
- Part-time
- 5%
- Women / men
- 46% / 54%
- White
- 42%
- Hispanic
- 37%
- Black
- 8%
- Asian
- 3%
- International
- 1%
Faculty & school
- Student–faculty ratio
- 5:1
- Avg faculty salary
- $62,505 / year
- Full-time faculty
- 11%
- Accreditor
- Higher Learning Commission
- Website
- www.vandercook.edu
- Also known as
- VCM
Most popular fields
- Education – 95% of degrees
- Visual & Performing Arts – 5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at VanderCook College of Music?
89.5% of applicants were admitted.
How much does VanderCook College of Music cost?
The average net price after grants is $19,780 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $30,910 and the full cost of attendance is $44,613.
How much do VanderCook College of Music graduates earn?
Students who enrolled earn a median of $47,863 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.
What is the graduation rate?
67% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Other colleges in Chicago
| College | Net price | Acceptance | Graduation | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL · Public · 22,170 students |
$10,974 | 77% | 62% | $68,740 |
| DePaul University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 14,090 students |
$30,902 | 76% | 68% | $68,751 |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 11,737 students |
$36,079 | 82% | 73% | $71,530 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 7,569 students |
$14,860 | 4% | 96% | $91,885 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago, IL · Public · 6,409 students |
$7,220 | — | 18% | $32,427 |
| Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 5,368 students |
$26,598 | 89% | 52% | $42,195 |
| National Louis University Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 4,406 students |
$12,641 | 95% | 30% | $45,799 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public · 4,372 students |
$6,375 | — | 31% | $41,625 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Chicago, IL · Public · 4,207 students |
$7,397 | — | 26% | $36,531 |
| Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL · Public · 3,982 students |
$14,109 | 75% | 22% | $52,234 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.