Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Union University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (1,646 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Music or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University than Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,483 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 33.6% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($11,016 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 203% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $35,430 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Virginia Union University (about $35,430 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Virginia Union University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 78% larger than aid received by Virginia Union University students ($31,191 vs. $17,524).

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Music or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Music and Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($27,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($279 vs. $348).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 19%)

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.