VanderCook College of Music is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of VanderCook College of Music (VCM) is 100%. This means that all applicants are admitted.
How Competitive are VanderCook College of Music Admissions?
- Not Competitive: Applicants with satisfactory academics can easily secure admission.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

However, a 100% acceptance rate or open admission policy does not guarantee admission. Every institution has minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet these conditions, then you can be certain of admission. Additionally, to secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies.
VanderCook College of Music Admission Requirements
VCM GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at VCM is 3.1. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 2.8 and 3.1, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required.
Can I Get Into VCM Without SAT Or ACT?: VanderCook College of Music considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
VanderCook College of Music (VCM) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
VanderCook College of Music Average SAT Score: 1025
The average SAT score of the admitted students at VanderCook College of Music is 1025 on the 1600 SAT scale.
VanderCook College of Music SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it an easy target or SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1025 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (0 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. VanderCook College of Music allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 0, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to VCM. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
VanderCook College of Music SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Composite | 1025 | 0 | 0 |
It means that if you have scored less than 0 then you are below most of the admitted students at VCM and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 0 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into VanderCook College of Music (VCM) with a 0 SAT?
With a 0 SAT Score, your chances of admission at VanderCook College of Music (VCM) are good but the admission staff at VCM tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
VCM Profile
Name: VanderCook College of Music (VCM)
City: Chicago
URL: www.vandercook.edu/
State: Illinois
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 60616-3731
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from VCM Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at VanderCook College of Music is USD: 36975. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at VanderCook College of Music is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
27.47% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 58.24 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to VCM and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At VanderCook College of Music, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist VCM as your choice in the form.
How much a VCM Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the VCM graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 47863. An average VCM graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than VanderCook College of Music. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of VanderCook College of Music, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of West Alabama | University of West Alabama, AL | 1015 | 19 |
Central Baptist College | Central Baptist College, AR | 1011 | 21 |
Trinity Baptist College | Trinity Baptist College, FL | 987 | 19 |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, GA | 986 | 19 |
Point University | Point University, GA | 990 | 18 |
College of Coastal Georgia | College of Coastal Georgia, GA | 997 | 19 |
Clayton State University | Clayton State University, GA | 980 | 19 |
Life University | Life University, GA | 983 | 18 |
Thomas University | Thomas University, GA | 1010 | 18 |
Eastern Illinois University | Eastern Illinois University, IL | 1000 | NA |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as VanderCook College of Music. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for VanderCook College of Music, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Faulkner University | Faulkner University, AL | 1021 | 21 |
University of West Alabama | University of West Alabama, AL | 1015 | 19 |
Henderson State University | Henderson State University, AR | 1019 | 19 |
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO | 1025 | 20 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than VanderCook College of Music. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Huntingdon College | Huntingdon College, AL | 1086 | 21 |
Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville State University, AL | 1055 | 20 |
Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Masters Degree Programs
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About VanderCook College of Music Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, around $30,000 to $50,000 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
Question: What is the tuition fee for VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $30,000 to $50,000 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are excellent, with more than a 80% chance, depending on your academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: The acceptance rate is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is . This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around -0.3, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at VanderCook College of Music with a GPA 0.3 points lower than the average?
Answer: If your GPA is -0.4 or less, it may makes admission difficult -0.3. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to VanderCook College of Music if my GPA is below 2.7
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is " .($university_data['gpas']). ", applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: Is it possible to transfer to VanderCook College of Music from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to VanderCook College of Music each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: The campus culture at VanderCook College of Music is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into VanderCook College of Music?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by VanderCook College of Music.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.