USJ vs. VCM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT with VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Saint Joseph is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Saint Joseph is located in West Hartford, CT (Small City setting); VanderCook College of Music is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of Saint Joseph is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Saint Joseph 10:1; VanderCook College of Music 5:1.

USJ vs. VCM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USJ or VCM? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at VanderCook College of Music than USJ ($21,306 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at VanderCook College of Music are 2.9% lower than at University of Saint Joseph ($14,008 vs. $14,426).
• University of Saint Joseph is 53% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $16,368 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at USJ than at VanderCook College of Music (about $16,368 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Joseph as at VanderCook College of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Joseph students is 31.9% larger than aid received by VanderCook College of Music students ($30,747 vs. $23,317).

USJ vs. VCM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USJ or VCM? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VCM and USJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at VanderCook College of Music (1030) is 20 points higher than at USJ (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Joseph 850/1170; VanderCook College of Music 890/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USJ - Test optional; VCM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USJ students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than USJ (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at USJ vs. 44.1% at VCM.

USJ vs. VCM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USJ and VCM? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Saint Joseph's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, VanderCook College of Music and USJ graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, VanderCook College of Music and USJ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More VCM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USJ students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.