VCM vs. NKU

Deciding between VanderCook College of Music and Northern Kentucky University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Northern Kentucky University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • VCM Chicago, IL
  • NKU Highland Heights, KY
  • Setting
  • VCM Large City
  • NKU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • VCM 323
  • NKU 15,347
  • Type
  • VCM Private 4 Year
  • NKU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • VCM
  • NKU #854
  • Religious Affiliation
  • VCM -
  • NKU -
  • Status
  • VCM Non-profit
  • NKU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • VCM
  • NKU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • VCM $30,910
  • NKU $11,088
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • VCM $30,910
  • NKU $21,912
  • Room & Board
  • VCM $14,008
  • NKU $12,712
  • Average Net Price
  • VCM $21,306
  • NKU $9,211
  • Average Grant Aid
  • VCM $23,317
  • NKU $10,332
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • VCM 100%
  • NKU 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • VCM 38
  • NKU 6,058
  • Admitted
  • VCM 34
  • NKU 4,098
  • Acceptance Rate
  • VCM 89.5%
  • NKU 67.6%
  • Enrolled
  • VCM 44.1%
  • NKU 36.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • VCM 1030
  • NKU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • VCM 17
  • NKU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • VCM 3.1
  • NKU 3.42
  • Typical High School Grades
  • VCM B
  • NKU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • VCM Extremely Easy
  • NKU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • VCM
  • NKU Low
  • ACT Range
  • VCM 15/20
  • NKU 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • VCM 890/1160
  • NKU 953/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • VCM Test optional
  • NKU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • VCM Apr 1, 2027
  • NKU Aug 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • VCM 5:1
  • NKU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • VCM
    • Education (100%)
  • NKU
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • VCM 45%
  • NKU 37%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • VCM N/A
  • NKU $39,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • VCM 66%
  • NKU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • VCM $27,000
  • NKU $24,950
  • Median Loan Payment
  • VCM $279
  • NKU $257

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • VCM 47%
  • NKU 37%
  • % Women
  • VCM 53%
  • NKU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • VCM High
  • NKU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • VCM No
  • NKU No
  • % White
  • VCM 62%
  • NKU 82%
  • % Asian
  • VCM 2%
  • NKU 1%
  • % Black
  • VCM 8%
  • NKU 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • VCM 21%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Native American
  • VCM 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • VCM 0%
  • NKU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • VCM 4%
  • NKU 2%
  • % International
  • VCM 2%
  • NKU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • VCM 2%
  • NKU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • VCM 73%
  • NKU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • VCM 27%
  • NKU 29%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • VCM Yes
  • NKU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • VCM No
  • NKU No
  • Meal Plan
  • VCM Yes
  • NKU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • VCM No
  • NKU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • VCM No
  • NKU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
  • VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

VCM vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or NKU? 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 Northern Kentucky University than VCM ($9,211 vs. $21,306).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 9.3% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,712 vs. $14,008).
  • VanderCook College of Music is 178.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NKU (about $19,822 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $11,088.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 41.1% higher at VCM than at Northern Kentucky University (about $8,998 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $21,912.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 125.7% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($23,317 vs. $10,332).

VCM vs. NKU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern Kentucky University (1050) is 20 points higher than at VCM (1030).
  • Incoming NKU 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; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
  • 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 (89.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 36.8% at NKU.

VCM vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and NKU? 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).

  • VanderCook College of Music's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Kentucky University graduates have a $2,050 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($24,950 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NKU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.