VCM vs. SAU

Should I go to VanderCook College of Music or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCM or SAU 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. Spring Arbor University comparison
VanderCook College of Music Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
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Overview

VCM SAU
Location Chicago, IL Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 263 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM SAU
Tuition (In State) $27,670 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $27,670 $31,020
Room & Board $7,500 $10,652
Avg Net Price $12,436 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $27,884 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

VCM SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22 2,312
Admitted 22 1,094
Acceptance Rate 100% 47.3%
Enrolled % 50% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/20 20/26
SAT Range 890/1160 970/1135
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, 2025

Academics

VCM SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

VCM SAU
Graduation Rate 45% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) N/A $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

VCM SAU
% Men 43% 23%
% Women 57% 77%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 77%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 21% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

VCM SAU
% In-State 58% 83%
% Out-of-State 42% 13%

Campus

VCM SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 263 students)

VCM vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 12.1% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.1% higher at SAU than VanderCook College of Music ($31,020.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than SAU ($12,436 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 42% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($7,500 vs. $10,652)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 34.9% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($27,884 vs. $20,677)

VCM vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 34 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at VCM (3.1)
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than SAU (47.3%)

VCM vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or SAU? 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 SAU and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than VanderCook College of Music (56% vs. 45%)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $2,957 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($24,043 vs. $27,000)
  • SAU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than VCM graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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