VCM vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (838 students vs. 323 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

VCM vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($21,306 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 21.8% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($10,955 vs. $14,008).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 41.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $12,833 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at MIAD than at VanderCook College of Music (about $12,833 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 11.6% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($26,015 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or MIAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MIAD and VCM.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1040) is 10 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Incoming MIAD students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCM students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

VCM vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and MIAD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design have median earnings of about $36,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for VCM.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 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 MIAD students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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.