VanderCook College of Music

3140 South Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616

View map for VanderCook College of Music

https://www.vandercook.edu/

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Main telephone 312-225-6288

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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

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Number of full time, freshmen men 9
Number of full time, freshmen women 6
Total number of full time freshmen 15
Number of full time, undergraduate men 38
Number of full time, undergraduate women 34
Total number of full time undergraduates 72
Number of part time, undergraduate men 23
Number of part time, undergraduate women 12
Total number of part time undergraduates 35
Total number of undergraduate males 61
Total number of undergraduate females 46
Total number of undergraduate students 107
Number of male graduate students 57
Number of female graduate students 108
Total number of graduate students 165
Total number of male undergraduate and graduate students 118
Total number of female undergraduate and graduate students 154
Total enrollment 272
Asian 2%
Black 8%
Hispanic 32%
White 42%
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%

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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.)

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Financial aid contact person Sirena Covington
Financial aid contact title Director of Financial Aid
Financial aid contact e-mail Email
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

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Admissions contact person Cindy Tovar
Admissions contact title Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations
Admissions contact e-mail Email
Electronic application website Find more information on this website
For incoming students Moderately difficult (about 85% of all applicants accepted)
Number of male applicants 23
Number of male applicants accepted 21
Number of female applicants 13
Number of female applicants accepted 12
Total number of applicants 36
Total number of applicants accepted 33
High school education High school diploma required and GED accepted.
Fall* application deadline August 12
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 $40
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 Very important
Standardized test scores Considered
High school class rank Not 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 Important
First generation college student 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 88%
Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree:
In four years or less 50%
Between five and six years 16%
Letters of recommendation 3, required for all students

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Bachelor's Yes
Master's Yes
Academic calendar Semesters
Number of faculty on campus 94
Student faculty ratio 5:1
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

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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)

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School owns or operates housing Yes
Highest year that students are required to live on campus Not required
Dorms require a key or code to enter Yes

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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

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Grad admissions contact person LeeAnn Meyer
Grad admissions contact title Director of Admissions and Retention
Grad admissions contact e-mail address Email
Number of full time, female graduate students 8
Total number of full time graduate students 8
Number of part time, male graduate students 57
Number of part time, female graduate students 100
Total number of part time graduate students 157
Total number of male graduate students 57
Total number of female graduate students 108
Total number of graduate students 165
Number of undergraduate men 61
Number of undergraduate women 46
Total number of undergraduate students 107
Total number of male undergraduate and graduate students 118
Total number of female undergraduate and graduate students 154
Total enrollment 272
Tuition year 2024-2025
In-state tuition* $7,200
Out-of-state tuition* $7,200
Fees $935
* Tuition may vary by program
Graduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2024-2025 academic year.)
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security. If you have questions or concerns about the information displaying please contact Illinois Career Information System.