Brenau University vs. VCM

Should I go to Brenau University or VanderCook College of Music? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Brenau University or VCM is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Brenau University vs. VanderCook College of Music comparison
Brenau University VanderCook College of Music College 3 College 4
Brenau University
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Overview

Brenau University VCM
Location Gainesville, GA Chicago, IL
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 2,420 340
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #791
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website brenau.edu vandercook.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Brenau University VCM
Tuition (In State) $31,000 $28,640
Tuition (Out of State) $31,000 $28,640
Room & Board $12,600 $7,500
Avg Net Price $20,860 $16,601
Avg Grant Aid $25,170 $22,249
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Brenau University VCM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,761 37
Admitted 2,401 36
Acceptance Rate 87% 97.3%
Enrolled % 8.5% 47.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 15/20
SAT Range 990/1170 890/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026

Academics

Brenau University VCM
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 4:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Education (100%)

Outcomes

Brenau University VCM
Graduation Rate 44% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Brenau University VCM
% Men 9% 32%
% Women 42% 39%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 62%
% Black 32% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Brenau University VCM
% In-State 89% 58%
% Out-of-State 7% 42%

Campus

Brenau University VCM
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Brenau University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,420 students vs. 340 students)

Brenau University vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brenau University or VCM?

  • Brenau University is 8.2% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($31,000.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.2% higher at Brenau University than VanderCook College of Music ($31,000.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than Brenau University ($16,601 vs. $20,860)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 68% lower than costs at Brenau University ($7,500 vs. $12,600)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Brenau University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brenau University students is 13.1% larger than aid received VanderCook College of Music ($25,170 vs. $22,249)

Brenau University vs. VCM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brenau University or VCM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCM or Brenau University .

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 117 points higher than at Brenau University (990)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Brenau University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Brenau University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Brenau University (87%)

Brenau University vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Brenau University or VCM? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCM and Brenau University.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than Brenau University (45% vs. 44%)
  • VanderCook College of Music and Brenau University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • VanderCook College of Music and Brenau University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brenau University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/