Dominican vs. VCM

Comparable Facts

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

Dominican University is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (3,803 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

Dominican vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican 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 Dominican University than VCM ($13,402 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University are 9.2% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,716 vs. $14,008).
• Dominican University is 26.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $8,068 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Dominican than at VanderCook College of Music (about $8,068 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University as at VanderCook College of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($30,756 vs. $23,317).

Dominican vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dominican 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 Dominican.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 40 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Dominican students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027; VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at VCM (3.1).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than VCM (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 44.1% at VCM.

Dominican vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dominican University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dominican graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dominican students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

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.