VCM vs. Thiel College

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Thiel College in Greenville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thiel College is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (950 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Thiel College is in Greenville, PA (Distant Town setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thiel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Thiel College 12:1.

VCM vs. Thiel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Thiel College? 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 VanderCook College of Music than Thiel College ($21,306 vs. $22,545).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 9.6% lower than at Thiel College ($14,008 vs. $15,504).
• Thiel College is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $7,434 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Thiel College than at VanderCook College of Music (about $7,434 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at Thiel College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thiel College students is 30.2% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($30,356 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. Thiel College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thiel College (1070) is 40 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Incoming Thiel College 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; Thiel College 965/1165.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; Thiel College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Thiel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCM students have the same average high school GPA (3.1) as students at Thiel College (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Thiel College (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 11.4% at Thiel College.

VCM vs. Thiel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Thiel College? 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 Thiel College's (39%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, VanderCook College of Music graduates have a $876 lower median loan debt than Thiel College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,876).
• Among borrowers, VCM graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thiel College graduates ($279 vs. $288).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thiel College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.