VanderCook College of Music
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
VanderCook College of Music is a private nonprofit institution located in Chicago, Illinois with approximately 70 undergraduate students enrolled. VanderCook College of Music has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 97%. The average net price after financial aid is $17,094 per year. The graduation rate is 47%.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the near-open admissions (97% acceptance rate) and affordable net price of $17,094/year make this accessible for aspiring music educators, and the hyper-focused Chicago campus offers a tight-knit, specialized experience you won't find at a large conservatory. However, the 47% graduation rate and 67% freshman retention are real warning signs — nearly one in three students doesn't return after their first year, which suggests the program may not be the right fit for many who enroll. Worth considering only if you're firmly committed to music education specifically, not music performance, and have a clear plan to stay on track financially.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (70 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
VanderCook College of Music
3140 South Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616-3731
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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