CSU vs. VCM

Deciding between Chicago State University and VanderCook College of Music? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Chicago State University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • CSU Chicago, IL
  • VCM Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • CSU Large City
  • VCM Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 2,238
  • VCM 323
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • VCM Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CSU #814
  • VCM
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CSU -
  • VCM -
  • Status
  • CSU Non-profit
  • VCM Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CSU
  • VCM

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CSU $12,754
  • VCM $30,910
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CSU $12,754
  • VCM $30,910
  • Room & Board
  • CSU $11,550
  • VCM $14,008
  • Average Net Price
  • CSU $10,441
  • VCM $21,306
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CSU $18,194
  • VCM $23,317
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CSU 99%
  • VCM 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CSU 10,638
  • VCM 38
  • Admitted
  • CSU 4,602
  • VCM 34
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CSU 43.3%
  • VCM 89.5%
  • Enrolled
  • CSU 3.8%
  • VCM 44.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 860
  • VCM 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 17
  • VCM 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • CSU 3.18
  • VCM 3.1
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CSU B+
  • VCM B
  • Admissions Standards
  • CSU Extremely Easy
  • VCM Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CSU Low
  • VCM
  • ACT Range
  • CSU 15/19
  • VCM 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • CSU 750/963
  • VCM 890/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • VCM Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CSU
  • VCM Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CSU 9:1
  • VCM 5:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (7%)
  • VCM
    • Education (100%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CSU 21%
  • VCM 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CSU $38,300
  • VCM N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CSU 25%
  • VCM 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CSU $31,250
  • VCM $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CSU $323
  • VCM $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CSU 30%
  • VCM 47%
  • % Women
  • CSU 70%
  • VCM 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CSU Very Low
  • VCM High
  • HBCU
  • CSU No
  • VCM No
  • % White
  • CSU 3%
  • VCM 62%
  • % Asian
  • CSU 1%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Black
  • CSU 75%
  • VCM 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • CSU 8%
  • VCM 21%
  • % Native American
  • CSU 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CSU 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CSU 0%
  • VCM 4%
  • % International
  • CSU 2%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CSU 12%
  • VCM 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CSU 70%
  • VCM 73%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CSU 28%
  • VCM 27%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CSU Yes
  • VCM Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CSU No
  • VCM No
  • Meal Plan
  • CSU Yes
  • VCM Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CSU Yes
  • VCM No
  • Daycare Facility
  • CSU Yes
  • VCM No

Comparable Facts

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

Chicago State University is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

CSU vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than VCM ($10,441 vs. $21,306).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 17.5% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($11,550 vs. $14,008).
  • VanderCook College of Music is 142.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $18,156 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $12,754.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 142.4% higher at VCM than at Chicago State University (about $18,156 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $12,754.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($23,317 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 170 points higher than at CSU (860).
  • Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at VCM (17).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; VCM - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at VCM (3.1).
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than CSU (43.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 44.1% at VCM.

CSU vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

  • VanderCook College of Music's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, VanderCook College of Music graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
  • Among borrowers, VCM graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 25%)

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.