VCM vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Oakland University 17:1.

VCM vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than VCM ($12,208 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 22% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($10,932 vs. $14,008).
• VanderCook College of Music is 102.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $15,648 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at VCM than at Oakland University (about $7,722 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 79.5% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($23,317 vs. $12,988).

VCM vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 100 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

VCM vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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.