Columbia College Chicago vs VanderCook College of Music
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL, and VanderCook College of Music is a private college in Chicago, IL. Both admit about 89% of applicants. VanderCook College of Music is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $19,780 a year against $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. About 59% of students graduate at VanderCook College of Music, compared with 50% at Columbia College Chicago. Ten years after enrolling, VanderCook College of Music alumni earn a median of about $47,863, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
5,368
76
Acceptance rate
89%
89%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
890–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
15–20
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$19,780
Full cost / yr
$51,889
$44,613
In-state tuition
$34,088
$30,910
Out-of-state tuition
$34,088
$30,910
Application fee
$25
$35
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,924
$16,308
$30k - $48k
$21,423
Not reported
$48k - $75k
$25,590
$17,968
$75k - $110k
$31,677
$20,485
Over $110k
$36,436
$31,777
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
59%
Freshman retention
66%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$32,596
$45,704
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,195
$47,863
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
26%
First-generation students
25%
Not reported
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Aug 11
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 89% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music?
- VanderCook College of Music is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,780 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia College Chicago and VanderCook College of Music?
- Before aid, VanderCook College of Music costs about $44,613 a year and Columbia College Chicago about $51,889. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music?
- VanderCook College of Music. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,308 there, against about $20,924 at Columbia College Chicago. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music?
- Columbia College Chicago is the larger of the two, with about 5,368 undergraduates against 76 at VanderCook College of Music.
- Does Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music have a better graduation rate?
- VanderCook College of Music has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 50% at Columbia College Chicago.
- Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or VanderCook College of Music earn more?
- VanderCook College of Music alumni earn more on average: a median of about $47,863 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia College Chicago and VanderCook College of Music require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. VanderCook College of Music considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and VanderCook College of Music look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 890–1160 at VanderCook College of Music. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Columbia College Chicago vs University of ChicagoColumbia College Chicago vs Northwestern UniversityColumbia College Chicago vs Northern Illinois UniversityVanderCook College of Music vs The Chicago School at ChicagoVanderCook College of Music vs Rush UniversityVanderCook College of Music vs Methodist College
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