SIUE vs. VCM

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

SIUE vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than VCM ($17,115 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 3.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($14,008 vs. $14,490).
• VanderCook College of Music is 139.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $17,988 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.2% higher at VCM than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $17,988 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 101% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($23,317 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 40 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at VCM (3.1).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than VCM (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 44.1% at VCM.

SIUE vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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).

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,570 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($21,430 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.