VCM vs. Hastings College

Comparable Facts

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

Hastings College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (956 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Hastings College is in Hastings, NE (Remote Town setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hastings College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Hastings College 14:1.

VCM vs. Hastings College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Hastings 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 Hastings College ($21,306 vs. $24,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hastings College are 14% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,050 vs. $14,008).
• Hastings College is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $6,860 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Hastings College than at VanderCook College of Music (about $6,860 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at Hastings College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hastings College students is 16.3% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($27,107 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. Hastings College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hastings College (1070) is 40 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Incoming Hastings College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Hastings College 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Hastings College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Hastings College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hastings College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Hastings College (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 17.7% at Hastings College.

VCM vs. Hastings College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Hastings 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).

• Hastings College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hastings College and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hastings College and VCM graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hastings College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.