Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ferrum College is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (763 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Music or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College than Cleveland Institute of Music ($20,082 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferrum College are 20.3% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($13,230 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 85.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $24,360 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.4% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Ferrum College (about $24,360 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students ($34,444 vs. $31,191).

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Music or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College and Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Music and Ferrum College? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 49%)

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.