VCM vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

VCM vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than VCM ($7,916 vs. $21,306).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 36.4% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($8,907 vs. $14,008).
• VanderCook College of Music is 256.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $22,235 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.1% higher at VCM than at Purdue University Northwest (about $14,816 more per year; $30,910.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Purdue University Northwest (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 233.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($23,317 vs. $6,992).

VCM vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 10 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming Purdue Northwest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at VCM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purdue Northwest students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

VCM vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.