VCM vs. University of Dubuque

Deciding between VanderCook College of Music and University of Dubuque? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Dubuque

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • VCM Chicago, IL
  • University of Dubuque Dubuque, IA
  • Setting
  • VCM Large City
  • University of Dubuque Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • VCM 323
  • University of Dubuque 1,757
  • Type
  • VCM Private 4 Year
  • University of Dubuque Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • VCM
  • University of Dubuque #681
  • Religious Affiliation
  • VCM -
  • University of Dubuque Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Status
  • VCM Non-profit
  • University of Dubuque Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • VCM
  • University of Dubuque

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • VCM $30,910
  • University of Dubuque $42,095
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • VCM $30,910
  • University of Dubuque $42,095
  • Room & Board
  • VCM $14,008
  • University of Dubuque $12,150
  • Average Net Price
  • VCM $21,306
  • University of Dubuque $26,067
  • Average Grant Aid
  • VCM $23,317
  • University of Dubuque $27,758
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • VCM 100%
  • University of Dubuque 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • VCM 38
  • University of Dubuque 1,486
  • Admitted
  • VCM 34
  • University of Dubuque 1,317
  • Acceptance Rate
  • VCM 89.5%
  • University of Dubuque 88.6%
  • Enrolled
  • VCM 44.1%
  • University of Dubuque 23.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • VCM 1030
  • University of Dubuque 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • VCM 17
  • University of Dubuque 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • VCM 3.1
  • University of Dubuque 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • VCM B
  • University of Dubuque B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • VCM Extremely Easy
  • University of Dubuque Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • VCM
  • University of Dubuque
  • ACT Range
  • VCM 15/20
  • University of Dubuque 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • VCM 890/1160
  • University of Dubuque 980/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • VCM Test optional
  • University of Dubuque Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • VCM Apr 1, 2027
  • University of Dubuque

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • VCM 5:1
  • University of Dubuque 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • VCM
    • Education (100%)
  • University of Dubuque
    • Business (21%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • VCM 45%
  • University of Dubuque 41%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • VCM N/A
  • University of Dubuque $41,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • VCM 66%
  • University of Dubuque 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • VCM $27,000
  • University of Dubuque $25,674
  • Median Loan Payment
  • VCM $279
  • University of Dubuque $265

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • VCM 47%
  • University of Dubuque 58%
  • % Women
  • VCM 53%
  • University of Dubuque 42%
  • Racial Diversity
  • VCM High
  • University of Dubuque Medium
  • HBCU
  • VCM No
  • University of Dubuque No
  • % White
  • VCM 62%
  • University of Dubuque 63%
  • % Asian
  • VCM 2%
  • University of Dubuque 2%
  • % Black
  • VCM 8%
  • University of Dubuque 14%
  • % Hispanic
  • VCM 21%
  • University of Dubuque 9%
  • % Native American
  • VCM 0%
  • University of Dubuque 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • VCM 0%
  • University of Dubuque 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • VCM 4%
  • University of Dubuque 3%
  • % International
  • VCM 2%
  • University of Dubuque 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • VCM 2%
  • University of Dubuque 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • VCM 73%
  • University of Dubuque 32%
  • % Out-of-State
  • VCM 27%
  • University of Dubuque 57%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • VCM Yes
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • VCM No
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • VCM Yes
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • VCM No
  • University of Dubuque Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • VCM No
  • University of Dubuque Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dubuque is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,757 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Dubuque is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
  • VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dubuque is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; University of Dubuque 10:1.

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque ($21,306 vs. $26,067).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dubuque are 13.3% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,150 vs. $14,008).
  • University of Dubuque is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $11,185 more per year; $42,095.00 vs. $30,910.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at University of Dubuque than at VanderCook College of Music (about $11,185 more per year; $42,095.00 vs. $30,910.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as at University of Dubuque (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dubuque students is 19% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($27,758 vs. $23,317).

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque and VCM.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dubuque (1100) is 70 points higher than at VCM (1030).
  • Incoming University of Dubuque students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at VCM).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; University of Dubuque 980/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20; University of Dubuque 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; University of Dubuque - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dubuque students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at VCM (3.1).
  • VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of Dubuque (88.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 23.3% at University of Dubuque.

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque's (41%).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dubuque graduates have a $1,326 lower median loan debt than VCM graduates ($25,674 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dubuque graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCM graduates ($265 vs. $279).
  • More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Dubuque students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.