VCM vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Should I go to VanderCook College of Music or Saginaw Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCM or Saginaw Valley State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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VanderCook College of Music vs. Saginaw Valley State University comparison
VanderCook College of Music Saginaw Valley State University College 3 College 4
Saginaw Valley State University
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Overview

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Location Chicago, IL University Center, MI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 340 6,889
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu svsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $28,640 $12,240
Tuition (Out of State) $28,640 $28,752
Room & Board $7,500 $11,700
Avg Net Price $16,601 $15,144
Avg Grant Aid $22,249 $9,611
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 37 10,222
Admitted 36 7,450
Acceptance Rate 97.3% 72.9%
Enrolled % 47.2% 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.48
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20 19/25
SAT Range 890/1160 940/1160
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

Academics

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Graduation Rate 45% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
% Men 32% 2%
% Women 39% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 71%
% Black 8% 9%
% Hispanic 21% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
% In-State 58% 98%
% Out-of-State 42% 2%

Campus

VCM Saginaw Valley State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Saginaw Valley State University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (6,889 students vs. 340 students)

VCM vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Saginaw Valley State University?

  • VanderCook College of Music is 134% more expensive to attend than Saginaw Valley State University for in-state tuition ($28,640.00 vs. $12,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.4% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than VanderCook College of Music ($28,752.00 vs. $28,640.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than VCM ($15,144 vs. $16,601)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 56% lower than costs at Saginaw Valley State University ($7,500 vs. $11,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 131.5% larger than aid received Saginaw Valley State University ($22,249 vs. $9,611)

VCM vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or Saginaw Valley State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Saginaw Valley State University or VCM .

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 77 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1030)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.9%)

VCM vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (45% vs. 39%)
  • Saginaw Valley State University and VCM graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Saginaw Valley State University and VCM graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/