VanderCook College of Music
3140 South Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616
Chicago, IL 60616
View map for VanderCook College of Music
https://www.vandercook.edu/| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Main telephone | 312-225-6288 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Public or private | Private |
| Type of school | University |
| Date founded | 1909 |
| Degrees offered | Bachelor's, Master's |
| School accreditation | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Setting | Urban (in a large city) |
| Closest major metropolitan area | Chicago |
| Campus size | 1 acre |
| County | Cook |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Number of full time, freshmen men | 12 |
| Number of full time, freshmen women | 5 |
| Total number of full time freshmen | 17 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate men | 36 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate women | 31 |
| Total number of full time undergraduates | 67 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate men | 21 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate women | 11 |
| Total number of part time undergraduates | 32 |
| Total number of undergraduate males | 57 |
| Total number of undergraduate females | 42 |
| Total number of undergraduate students | 99 |
| Total enrollment | 99 |
| Asian | 4% |
| Black | 14% |
| Hispanic | 26% |
| White | 41% |
| Race/ethnicity unknown | 1% |
| These figures reflect responses of people who chose to indicate their racial-ethnic background. All categories except Hispanic represent non-Hispanic students. International students are not included in these figures so they may not add up to 100 percent. | |
| Percentage of students from out of state | 21% |
| Number of states and territories represented | 9 |
| Percentage of students from outside the US | 1% |
| Number of countries represented | 1 |
| Percentage of students 25 or older | 10% |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Tuition year | 2025-2026 |
| In-state tuition | $29,500 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,500 |
| Fees | $2,340 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Room and board (live on campus)* | $14,402 |
| * Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan | |
| Undergraduate costs are for ... | (Costs are for the 2025-2026 academic year.) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Financial aid contact person | Sirena Covington |
| Financial aid contact title | Director of Financial Aid |
| Financial aid contact e-mail | |
| Financial aid phone | 312-788-1146 |
| Financial aid office website | Find more information on this website |
| Scholarship list website | Find more information on this website |
| Submit these forms | FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) |
| Application deadline (for fall term) | February 15 |
| Loans | |
| Federal PLUS loans (for parents) | Yes |
| Federal Direct Stafford loans (subsidized) | Yes |
| Federal Direct Stafford loans (unsubsidized) | Yes |
| Need-based scholarships and grants | |
| Federal Pell Grants | Yes |
| Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Yes |
| Privately-sponsored scholarships and grants | Yes |
| State-sponsored scholarships and grants | Yes |
| United Negro College Fund | Yes |
| Merit-based scholarships and grants | |
| School-sponsored scholarships in academics | Yes |
| School-sponsored scholarships in art | Yes |
| School-sponsored scholarships for special characteristics | Yes |
| Student employment | |
| Work study | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Admissions contact person | Cindy Tovar |
| Admissions contact title | Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations |
| Admissions contact e-mail | |
| Electronic application website | Find more information on this website |
| For incoming students | Moderately difficult (about 85% of all applicants accepted) |
| Number of male applicants | 22 |
| Number of male applicants accepted | 22 |
| Number of female applicants | 15 |
| Number of female applicants accepted | 14 |
| Total number of applicants | 37 |
| Total number of applicants accepted | 36 |
| High school education | High school diploma required and GED accepted. |
| Fall* application deadline | August 1 |
| Notification date for fall admission applicants | Continuous |
| Notification date for fall transfer applicants | Continuous |
| * Application dates for winter, spring, or summer term admission are likely to be different. | |
| Online application available | Find more information on this website |
| Application fee | $35 |
| Submit these items: | |
| High school GPA (minimum) | 3.0 |
| High school GPA | Recommended, but not required |
| High school transcript or GED certificate | Required for all students |
| Interview | Required for all students |
| Letters of recommendation (#) | 3 |
| Letters of recommendation | Required for all students |
| Written essay or personal statement | Required for all students |
| Other application materials | Audition on the applicant's primary instrument or voice |
| Other application materials | Required for all students |
| Recommended exams | SAT or ACT |
| High school GPA | Very important |
| Difficulty of high school courses | Considered |
| Standardized test scores | Considered |
| High school class rank | Considered |
| Recommendations | Very important |
| Application essay | Very important |
| Character/personal qualities | Very important |
| Interview | Very important |
| Talent or ability | Very important |
| Extracurricular activities | Important |
| Level of applicant's interest | Important |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Not considered |
| Work experience | Considered |
| Related to a school graduate | Considered |
| First generation college student | Considered |
| Racial/ethnic group | Not considered |
| Accepted students can defer admission for a period of time | Yes |
| Age limit on courses to be transferred | 10 years |
| SAT evidence-based reading and writing | |
| 600 - 699 | 100% |
| Average SAT evidence-based reading and writing score | 640 |
| SAT math | |
| 500 - 599 | 100% |
| Average SAT math score | 530 |
| ACT score | |
| 18 - 23 | 67% |
| 24 - 29 | 33% |
| Average ACT score | 22 |
| Average GPA (on 4.0 scale) | 3.43 |
| Percentage of freshmen who returned for their sophomore year | 80% |
| Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree: | |
| In four years or less | 57% |
| Letters of recommendation | 3, required for all students |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Yes |
| Master's | Yes |
| Academic calendar | Semesters |
| Number of faculty on campus | 53 |
| Student faculty ratio | 4:1 |
| Required number of credits for a bachelor's degree | 136.5 semester hours |
| All students must meet: | |
| Core curriculum or school-wide requirements | Yes |
| Senior project requirement | For all students |
| Advanced Placement | Yes |
| International Baccalaureate | Yes |
| Computers on campus for student use | Yes (14) |
| Computer lab available to students | Yes |
| Main library name | Harry Ruppel Memorial Library |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Newspaper | Yes |
| Radio station | Yes |
| National or local fraternities | Yes |
| National or local sororities | Yes |
| Number of student clubs and associations with open membership | 4 |
| Largest clubs and organizations on campus | NAfME (National Association for Music Education), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), NBA (National Band Association), ASTA (American String Teachers Association) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Dorms require a key or code to enter | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Remedial education courses | Yes |
| Health clinic | Yes |
| Psychological counseling | Yes |
| Orientation | Yes |
| 24-hour emergency phone and alarms on campus | Yes |
| Campus patrolled by trained security personnel | Yes |
| Late night transport service | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Grad admissions contact person | LeeAnn Meyer |
| Grad admissions contact title | Director of Admissions and Retention |
| Grad admissions contact e-mail address | |
| Number of undergraduate men | 57 |
| Number of undergraduate women | 42 |
| Total number of undergraduate students | 99 |
| Total enrollment | 99 |
| Tuition year | 2023-2024 |
| Full time costs are based on x units per year | 18 credit hours |
| In-state tuition* | $7,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition* | $7,080 |
| Fees | $915 |
| * Tuition may vary by program | |
| Graduate costs are for ... | (Costs are for the 2023-2024 academic year. Full-time costs are based on 18 credit hours per year.) |