VCM vs. Hiram

Comparable Facts

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

Hiram College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,061 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

VCM vs. Hiram Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Hiram? 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 Hiram ($21,306 vs. $21,868).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hiram College are 15.4% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($11,850 vs. $14,008).
• VanderCook College of Music is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hiram (about $3,310 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $27,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at VCM than at Hiram College (about $3,310 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $27,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Hiram College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Hiram College students ($23,317 vs. $18,726).

VCM vs. Hiram Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 30 points higher than at Hiram (1000).
• Incoming Hiram 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; Hiram College 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Hiram College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Hiram - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hiram students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at VCM (3.1).
• Hiram has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than VCM (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 12.9% at Hiram.

VCM vs. Hiram Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Hiram? 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).

• Hiram College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hiram College and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hiram 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 Hiram students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.