VCM vs. McMurry University

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

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VanderCook College of Music vs. McMurry University comparison
VanderCook College of Music McMurry University College 3 College 4
McMurry University
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Overview

VCM McMurry University
Location Chicago, IL Abilene, TX
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 340 2,549
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #789
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu mcm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM McMurry University
Tuition (In State) $28,640 $30,922
Tuition (Out of State) $28,640 $30,922
Room & Board $7,500 $9,788
Avg Net Price $16,601 $20,817
Avg Grant Aid $22,249 $22,204
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

VCM McMurry University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 37 4,836
Admitted 36 2,788
Acceptance Rate 97.3% 57.7%
Enrolled % 47.2% 11.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.7
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20 18/25
SAT Range 890/1160 1010/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

VCM McMurry University
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

VCM McMurry University
Graduation Rate 45% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,824
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

VCM McMurry University
% Men 32% 0%
% Women 39% 0%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 52%
% Black 8% 18%
% Hispanic 21% 25%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

VCM McMurry University
% In-State 58% 94%
% Out-of-State 42% 3%

Campus

VCM McMurry University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • McMurry University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,549 students vs. 340 students)

VCM vs. McMurry University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or McMurry University?

  • McMurry University is 8% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($30,922.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8% higher at McMurry University than VanderCook College of Music ($30,922.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than McMurry University ($16,601 vs. $20,817)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 30.5% lower than costs at McMurry University ($7,500 vs. $9,788)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than McMurry University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 0.2% larger than aid received McMurry University ($22,249 vs. $22,204)

VCM vs. McMurry University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 220 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than McMurry University (57.7%)

VCM vs. McMurry University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or McMurry 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 McMurry University and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than McMurry University (45% vs. 36%)
  • McMurry University students graduate with a $176 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($26,824 vs. $27,000)
  • McMurry University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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