VCM vs. University of Dubuque

Should I go to VanderCook College of Music or University of Dubuque? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VCM or University of Dubuque 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Aurora University Lakeland University Mount Mercy College Augustana
VanderCook College of Music vs. University of Dubuque comparison
VanderCook College of Music University of Dubuque College 3 College 4
University of Dubuque
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

VCM University of Dubuque
Location Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 263 1,776
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #756
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website vandercook.edu dbq.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

VCM University of Dubuque
Tuition (In State) $27,670 $36,800
Tuition (Out of State) $27,670 $36,800
Room & Board $7,500 $11,024
Avg Net Price $12,436 $22,879
Avg Grant Aid $27,884 $25,005
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

VCM University of Dubuque
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22 1,579
Admitted 22 1,343
Acceptance Rate 100% 85.1%
Enrolled % 50% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 17/23
SAT Range 890/1160 828/1070
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 University of Dubuque
Student to Faculty Ratio 4:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (100%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Transportation and Materials Moving (15%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

VCM University of Dubuque
% Men 43% 56%
% Women 57% 44%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 63%
% Black 8% 14%
% Hispanic 21% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

VCM University of Dubuque
% In-State 58% 25%
% Out-of-State 42% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Dubuque is larger than than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,776 students vs. 263 students)

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or University of Dubuque?

  • University of Dubuque is 33% more expensive to attend than VCM for in-state tuition ($36,800.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33% higher at University of Dubuque than VanderCook College of Music ($36,800.00 vs. $27,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than University of Dubuque ($12,436 vs. $22,879)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 47% lower than costs at University of Dubuque ($7,500 vs. $11,024)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at VanderCook College of Music as University of Dubuque (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 11.5% larger than aid received University of Dubuque ($27,884 vs. $25,005)

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at VanderCook College of Music (1107) is 163 points higher than at University of Dubuque (944)
  • Incoming VCM students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Dubuque (20)
  • 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 (100%) than University of Dubuque (85.1%)

VCM vs. University of Dubuque Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VCM or University of Dubuque? 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 University of Dubuque and VCM.

  • The graduation rate at VCM is higher than University of Dubuque (45% vs. 41%)
  • University of Dubuque students graduate with a $1,326 lower median federal student loan debt than VCM graduates. ($25,674 vs. $27,000)
  • University of Dubuque graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans 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/