VCM vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 323 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Carthage College 14:1.

VCM vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($21,306 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 4% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($13,450 vs. $14,008).
• Carthage College is 25.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $7,840 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at Carthage than at VanderCook College of Music (about $7,840 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 2% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($23,784 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or Carthage? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carthage and VCM.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Carthage College (1100) is 70 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Incoming Carthage students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Carthage students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Carthage (87.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

VCM vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Carthage? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Graduates from Carthage College have median earnings of about $48,800 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for VCM.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage College and VCM graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCM students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.