VanderCook College of Music

VanderCook College of Music is a small private non-profit specialized institution located in Chicago, Illinois, with an undergraduate enrollment of 76. The institution offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple academic disciplines, serving a student body drawn primarily from the local and regional population. As an independently governed, non-profit institution relying on tuition, endowment returns, and philanthropic support, it operates within the broader Illinois postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. With a 89% acceptance rate, admission is open to most applicants. The 89% acceptance rate reflects a broadly open admissions approach serving a wide range of students. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $17,968 per year. The 4-year graduation rate is 59%, 14 percentage points above the national average of 45%. Among students who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $47,863. Prospective students are encouraged to review net price calculators and complete the FAFSA early, as institutional aid availability varies significantly by family income level.