VCM vs. Bay Path University

Should I go to VanderCook College of Music or Bay Path University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCM or Bay Path University 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.

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VanderCook College of Music vs. Bay Path University comparison
VanderCook College of Music Bay Path University College 3 College 4
Bay Path University
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Overview

VCM Bay Path University
Location Chicago, IL Longmeadow, MA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 340 2,643
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #531
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu baypath.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM Bay Path University
Tuition (In State) $28,640 $37,227
Tuition (Out of State) $28,640 $37,227
Room & Board $7,500 $13,316
Avg Net Price $16,601 $14,935
Avg Grant Aid $22,249 $32,227
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

VCM Bay Path University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 37 966
Admitted 36 710
Acceptance Rate 97.3% 73.5%
Enrolled % 47.2% 15.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.4
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 890/1160 1020/1140
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, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

VCM Bay Path University
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Legal Professions (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

VCM Bay Path University
Graduation Rate 45% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $43,500
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,011
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

VCM Bay Path University
% Men 32% 6%
% Women 39% 46%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 55%
% Black 8% 14%
% Hispanic 21% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

VCM Bay Path University
% In-State 58% 65%
% Out-of-State 42% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Bay Path University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,643 students vs. 340 students)

VCM vs. Bay Path University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Bay Path University?

  • Bay Path University is 30% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($37,227.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30% higher at Bay Path University than VanderCook College of Music ($37,227.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bay Path University than VCM ($14,935 vs. $16,601)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 77.5% lower than costs at Bay Path University ($7,500 vs. $13,316)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Bay Path University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bay Path University students is 44.8% larger than aid received VanderCook College of Music ($32,227 vs. $22,249)

VCM vs. Bay Path University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Bay Path University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Bay Path University (73.5%)

VCM vs. Bay Path University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or Bay Path University? 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 Bay Path University and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at Bay Path University is higher than VanderCook College of Music (65% vs. 45%)
  • Bay Path University students graduate with a $2,989 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($24,011 vs. $27,000)
  • Bay Path University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bay Path University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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