Blackburn College vs. VCM

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Blackburn College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (513 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

Blackburn College vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or VCM? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than VCM ($18,460 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 29.2% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($9,915 vs. $14,008).
• VanderCook College of Music is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $2,761 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at VCM than at Blackburn College (about $2,761 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at VanderCook College of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 19.8% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($23,317 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or VCM? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCM and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 20 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; VCM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 44.1% at VCM.

Blackburn College vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and VCM? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.