VCM vs. LEC

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Erie College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,108 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Lake Erie College is in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Lake Erie College 12:1.

VCM vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or LEC? 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 LEC ($21,306 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Erie College are 6.9% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($13,036 vs. $14,008).
• Lake Erie College is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $6,724 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at LEC than at VanderCook College of Music (about $6,724 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at Lake Erie College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 19.6% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($27,879 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. LEC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is the same as at LEC (1030).
• Incoming LEC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Lake Erie College 945/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; LEC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027; LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LEC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 19.7% at LEC.

VCM vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and LEC? 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).

• Lake Erie College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Erie College and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lake Erie 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 LEC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.