University of St Francis vs. VCM

Deciding between University of St Francis 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.

University of St Francis

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of St Francis Joliet, IL
  • VCM Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • University of St Francis Midsize City
  • VCM Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of St Francis 3,074
  • VCM 323
  • Type
  • University of St Francis Private 4 Year
  • VCM Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of St Francis #355
  • VCM
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of St Francis Roman Catholic
  • VCM -
  • Status
  • University of St Francis Non-profit
  • VCM Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of St Francis
  • VCM

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • VCM $30,910
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of St Francis $38,110
  • VCM $30,910
  • Room & Board
  • University of St Francis $11,980
  • VCM $14,008
  • Average Net Price
  • University of St Francis $14,045
  • VCM $21,306
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis $31,998
  • VCM $23,317
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of St Francis 100%
  • VCM 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of St Francis 2,250
  • VCM 38
  • Admitted
  • University of St Francis 1,469
  • VCM 34
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of St Francis 65.3%
  • VCM 89.5%
  • Enrolled
  • University of St Francis 14.2%
  • VCM 44.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of St Francis 1130
  • VCM 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of St Francis 26
  • VCM 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of St Francis 3.47
  • VCM 3.1
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of St Francis B+
  • VCM B
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of St Francis Challenging
  • VCM Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of St Francis Low
  • VCM
  • ACT Range
  • University of St Francis 20/32
  • VCM 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • University of St Francis 1030/1220
  • VCM 890/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of St Francis Test optional
  • VCM Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027
  • VCM Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of St Francis 15:1
  • VCM 5:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of St Francis
    • Health Professions (41%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • VCM
    • Education (100%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of St Francis 63%
  • VCM 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of St Francis $50,600
  • VCM N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of St Francis 62%
  • VCM 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of St Francis $25,000
  • VCM $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of St Francis $258
  • VCM $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of St Francis 27%
  • VCM 47%
  • % Women
  • University of St Francis 73%
  • VCM 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of St Francis Medium
  • VCM High
  • HBCU
  • University of St Francis No
  • VCM No
  • % White
  • University of St Francis 67%
  • VCM 62%
  • % Asian
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Black
  • University of St Francis 8%
  • VCM 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of St Francis 16%
  • VCM 21%
  • % Native American
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of St Francis 0%
  • VCM 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of St Francis 3%
  • VCM 4%
  • % International
  • University of St Francis 2%
  • VCM 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of St Francis 1%
  • VCM 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of St Francis 91%
  • VCM 73%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of St Francis 9%
  • VCM 27%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • VCM Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of St Francis No
  • VCM No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • VCM Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of St Francis Yes
  • VCM No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of St Francis No
  • VCM No

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Francis is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (3,074 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of St Francis is located in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of St Francis 15:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

University of St Francis vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis than VCM ($14,045 vs. $21,306).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Francis are 14.5% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($11,980 vs. $14,008).
  • University of St Francis is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $7,200 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $30,910.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at University of St Francis than at VanderCook College of Music (about $7,200 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $30,910.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis as at VanderCook College of Music (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 37.2% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($31,998 vs. $23,317).

University of St Francis vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 100 points higher than at VCM (1030).
  • Incoming University of St Francis students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 17 at VCM).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 1030/1220; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 20/32; VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Francis - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027; VCM Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of St Francis students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at VCM (3.1).
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at University of St Francis vs. 44.1% at VCM.

University of St Francis vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St Francis 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).

  • University of St Francis's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Francis graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.