Rockford University vs. VCM

Should I go to Rockford University or VanderCook College of Music? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rockford University or VCM is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Northern Illinois
Rockford University vs. VanderCook College of Music comparison
Rockford University VanderCook College of Music College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Rockford University VCM
Location Rockford, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 1,181 263
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #810
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rockford.edu vandercook.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Rockford University VCM
Tuition (In State) $34,750 $27,670
Tuition (Out of State) $34,750 $27,670
Room & Board $10,410 $7,500
Avg Net Price $25,047 $12,436
Avg Grant Aid $21,056 $27,884
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

 Rockford University VCM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,779 22
Admitted 1,526 22
Acceptance Rate 54.9% 100%
Enrolled % 11% 50%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 12/20 15/20
SAT Range 840/1086 890/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 Rockford University VCM
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 4:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (100%)

Outcomes

 Rockford University VCM
Graduation Rate 31% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

 Rockford University VCM
% Men 45% 43%
% Women 55% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 62%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 14% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

 Rockford University VCM
% In-State 70% 58%
% Out-of-State 26% 42%

Campus

 Rockford University VCM
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rockford University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,181 students vs. 263 students)

Rockford University vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rockford University or VCM?

  • Rockford University is 25.6% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.6% higher at Rockford University than VanderCook College of Music ($34,750.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than Rockford University ($12,436 vs. $25,047)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 38.8% lower than costs at Rockford University ($7,500 vs. $10,410)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Rockford University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 32.4% larger than aid received Rockford University ($27,884 vs. $21,056)

Rockford University vs. VCM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rockford University or VCM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCM or Rockford University .

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 100 points higher than at Rockford University (1007)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Rockford University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Rockford University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

Rockford University vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rockford University or VCM? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCM and Rockford University.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than Rockford University (45% vs. 31%)
  • Rockford University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Rockford University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockford University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/