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VanderCook College of Music

Chicago, IL · City · 76 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$19,780
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
59%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
67% typical
$47,863
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$47,863 typical
89%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

VanderCook College of Music in Chicago is the only degree-granting institution in the United States solely dedicated to the training of music educators, offering intensely focused Bachelor and Master of Music Education programs. The college is distinctive for its comprehensive curriculum, which requires every student to learn, play, and teach all standard band and orchestral instruments, choir, and general music methods. Situated on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, VanderCook offers an intimate, highly collaborative community of dedicated musicians who enjoy small class sizes alongside access to major university amenities and Chicago's vibrant cultural scene.


Wikipedia:VanderCook College of Music is a private music school in Chicago, Illinois. It is the only college in the United States specializing solely in the training of music educators. Students may pursue bachelor's and master's degrees. The college is located in a Mies van der Rohe building on the campus of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). VanderCook is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the National Association of Schools of Music.

Location
Chicago, IL, 60616-3731 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
7 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$30,910
Housing & food (on campus)$14,008
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$51,418
Average net price$19,780
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$30,910
Housing & food (on campus)$14,008
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$51,418
Average net price$19,780
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.vandercook.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
VanderCook College of Music’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$30,090
Fees$2,392
Housing$14,736
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$3,000
Total of the above$51,418
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$16,308
$48–75k
$17,968
$75–110k
$20,485
$110k+
$31,777
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
59%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
50%
Back for yr 2
88%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
61% graduated · 39% left or unknown · none transferred or still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$45,704
10 yrs after entry$47,863
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$12k–$31k
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
89%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If VanderCook College of Music asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 54%Women 46%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
5 : 1
Pell grant
26%
Family income
$59,619
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
42%
Hispanic
37%
Black
8%
Asian
3%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$45,704
After 10 yrs
$47,863
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas7
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$410,794
Full-time faculty
11%
Faculty salary
$6,945/mo
Teaching spend
$8,984
per student
Federal loans
42%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — other
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if VanderCook College of Music is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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