ISU vs. VCM

Deciding between Illinois 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.

Illinois State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ISU Normal, IL
  • VCM Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • VCM Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 21,546
  • VCM 323
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • VCM Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ISU #502
  • VCM
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ISU -
  • VCM -
  • Status
  • ISU Non-profit
  • VCM Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ISU
  • VCM

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ISU $16,144
  • VCM $30,910
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ISU $28,210
  • VCM $30,910
  • Room & Board
  • ISU $11,754
  • VCM $14,008
  • Average Net Price
  • ISU $21,369
  • VCM $21,306
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ISU $12,974
  • VCM $23,317
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ISU 96%
  • VCM 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ISU 21,573
  • VCM 38
  • Admitted
  • ISU 19,017
  • VCM 34
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ISU 88.2%
  • VCM 89.5%
  • Enrolled
  • ISU 22.5%
  • VCM 44.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1100
  • VCM 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • VCM 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • ISU 3.41
  • VCM 3.1
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ISU B+
  • VCM B
  • Admissions Standards
  • ISU Moderate
  • VCM Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • ISU
  • VCM
  • ACT Range
  • ISU 21/27
  • VCM 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • ISU 990/1210
  • VCM 890/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • VCM Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • ISU Apr 1, 2027
  • VCM Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ISU 19:1
  • VCM 5:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • VCM
    • Education (100%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ISU 71%
  • VCM 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ISU $49,000
  • VCM N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ISU 74%
  • VCM 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ISU $22,000
  • VCM $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ISU $227
  • VCM $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ISU 42%
  • VCM 47%
  • % Women
  • ISU 58%
  • VCM 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ISU Low
  • VCM High
  • HBCU
  • ISU No
  • VCM No
  • % White
  • ISU 77%
  • VCM 62%
  • % Asian
  • ISU 2%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Black
  • ISU 8%
  • VCM 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • ISU 9%
  • VCM 21%
  • % Native American
  • ISU 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ISU 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ISU 3%
  • VCM 4%
  • % International
  • ISU 0%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ISU 0%
  • VCM 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ISU 96%
  • VCM 73%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ISU 3%
  • VCM 27%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Illinois State University is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (21,546 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL (Small City setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • Illinois 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: Illinois State University 19:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

ISU vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 VanderCook College of Music than ISU ($21,306 vs. $21,369).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois State University are 16.1% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($11,754 vs. $14,008).
  • VanderCook College of Music is 91.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $14,766 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $16,144.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at VCM than at Illinois State University (about $2,700 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $28,210.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Illinois State University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 79.7% larger than aid received by Illinois State University students ($23,317 vs. $12,974).

ISU vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois State University (1100) is 70 points higher than at VCM (1030).
  • Incoming ISU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at VCM).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 990/1210; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois State University 21/27; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: ISU Apr 1, 2027; VCM Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at VCM (3.1).
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than ISU (88.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at ISU vs. 44.1% at VCM.

ISU vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCM students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.