VCM vs. Grand View University

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

Wartburg College
VanderCook College of Music vs. Grand View University comparison
VanderCook College of Music Grand View University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

VCM Grand View University
Location Chicago, IL Des Moines, IA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 263 1,827
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #884
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu grandview.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM Grand View University
Tuition (In State) $27,670 $31,418
Tuition (Out of State) $27,670 $31,418
Room & Board $7,500 $10,956
Avg Net Price $12,436 $20,236
Avg Grant Aid $27,884 $22,893
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

VCM Grand View University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22 1,886
Admitted 22 1,856
Acceptance Rate 100% 98.4%
Enrolled % 50% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 17/22
SAT Range 890/1160 920/1080
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

VCM Grand View University
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

VCM Grand View University
Graduation Rate 45% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,908
Median Loan Payment $279 $247

Diversity

VCM Grand View University
% Men 43% 44%
% Women 57% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 72%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 21% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

VCM Grand View University
% In-State 58% 77%
% Out-of-State 42% 21%

Campus

VCM Grand View 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

  • Grand View University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,827 students vs. 263 students)

VCM vs. Grand View University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Grand View University?

  • Grand View University is 13.5% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($31,418.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at Grand View University than VanderCook College of Music ($31,418.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than Grand View University ($12,436 vs. $20,236)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 46.1% lower than costs at Grand View University ($7,500 vs. $10,956)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as Grand View University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 21.8% larger than aid received Grand View University ($27,884 vs. $22,893)

VCM vs. Grand View University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 138 points higher than at Grand View University (969)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Grand View University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Grand View University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Grand View University (98.4%)

VCM vs. Grand View University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or Grand View 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 Grand View University and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than Grand View University (45% vs. 41%)
  • Grand View University students graduate with a $3,092 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($23,908 vs. $27,000)
  • Grand View University graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($247 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand View University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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