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Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern Murray State University WKU Xavier UC Morehead State University Louisville BGSU BSU Kent State| VanderCook College of Music | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
VCM | NKU | ||
| Location | Chicago, IL | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 340 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #912 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | vandercook.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
VCM | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $28,640 | $10,512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $28,640 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,500 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,601 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $22,249 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 98% |
Admission |
VCM | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 37 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 36 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 97.3% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 47.2% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.1 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 15/20 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 890/1160 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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 | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 4:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
VCM | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 45% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | N/A | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $257 |
Diversity |
VCM | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 32% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 39% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 21% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 2% | ||
| % International | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
VCM | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 58% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 42% | 28% | ||
Campus |
VCM | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 340 students)
VCM vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, VCM or NKU?
- VanderCook College of Music is 172.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($28,640.00 vs. $10,512.00)
- Out of state tuition is 35.8% higher at VCM than Northern Kentucky University ($28,640.00 vs. $21,096.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than VCM ($8,151 vs. $16,601)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 55.5% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($7,500 vs. $11,660)
- More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 93.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($22,249 vs. $11,492)
VCM vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, VCM or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or VCM .
- The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 39 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming VCM students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at VCM (3.1)
- VCM has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than NKU (96%)
VCM vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, VCM or NKU? 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 NKU and VCM.
- The graduation rate at VCM is higher than Northern Kentucky University (45% vs. 37%)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU 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/