VCM vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Defiance College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (568 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Defiance College 11:1.

VCM vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Defiance College? 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 Defiance College ($21,306 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Defiance College are 10% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,606 vs. $14,008).
• VanderCook College of Music is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Defiance College (about $1,590 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at VCM than at Defiance College (about $1,590 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Defiance College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 15.9% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($27,024 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or Defiance College? 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 Defiance College and VCM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 40 points higher than at Defiance College (990).
• Incoming Defiance College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Defiance College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

VCM vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Defiance College? 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).

• Defiance College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Defiance College and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Defiance College and VCM graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Defiance College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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.