Illinois College vs. VCM

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (942 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

Illinois College vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Illinois College than VCM ($17,375 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 14.1% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,026 vs. $14,008).
• Illinois College is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $7,766 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Illinois College than at VanderCook College of Music (about $7,766 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at VanderCook College of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 35.6% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($31,609 vs. $23,317).

Illinois College vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is the same as at VCM (1030).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 44.1% at VCM.

Illinois College vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, VanderCook College of Music and Illinois College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, VanderCook College of Music and Illinois College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCM students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 66%)

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.