VCM vs. Clarke University

Should I go to VanderCook College of Music or Clarke University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCM or Clarke 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

DePaul Loras College Purdue North Central
VanderCook College of Music vs. Clarke University comparison
VanderCook College of Music Clarke University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 VCM Clarke University
Location Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 263 965
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu clarke.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 VCM Clarke University
Tuition (In State) $27,670 $36,900
Tuition (Out of State) $27,670 $36,900
Room & Board $7,500 $10,600
Avg Net Price $12,436 $27,275
Avg Grant Aid $27,884 $25,403
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 VCM Clarke University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22 2,665
Admitted 22 2,260
Acceptance Rate 100% 84.8%
Enrolled % 50% 8.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.36
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 18/23
SAT Range 890/1160 920/1160
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

 VCM Clarke University
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

 VCM Clarke University
Graduation Rate 45% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $42,800
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

 VCM Clarke University
% Men 43% 51%
% Women 57% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 85%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 21% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 VCM Clarke University
% In-State 58% 25%
% Out-of-State 42% 65%

Campus

 VCM Clarke 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

  • Clarke University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (965 students vs. 263 students)

VCM vs. Clarke University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Clarke University?

  • Clarke University is 33.4% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.4% higher at Clarke University than VanderCook College of Music ($36,900.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than Clarke University ($12,436 vs. $27,275)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 41.3% lower than costs at Clarke University ($7,500 vs. $10,600)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as Clarke University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 9.8% larger than aid received Clarke University ($27,884 vs. $25,403)

VCM vs. Clarke University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 62 points higher than at Clarke University (1045)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Clarke University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Clarke University 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 (100%) than Clarke University (84.8%)

VCM vs. Clarke University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or Clarke 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 Clarke University and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at Clarke University is higher than VanderCook College of Music (60% vs. 45%)
  • Clarke University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Clarke University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCM students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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