VCM vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than VCM based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• VanderCook College of Music is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• VanderCook College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: VanderCook College of Music 5:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

VCM vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VCM or Cairn? 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 Cairn ($21,306 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 9% lower than at VanderCook College of Music ($12,753 vs. $14,008).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCM (about $3,099 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Cairn than at VanderCook College of Music (about $3,099 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $30,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at VanderCook College of Music than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by VanderCook College of Music students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($23,317 vs. $21,416).

VCM vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VCM or Cairn? 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 Cairn and VCM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 50 points higher than at VCM (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 890/1160; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: VanderCook College of Music 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VCM - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCM Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at VCM (3.1).
• VCM has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.1% at VCM vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

VCM vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VCM and Cairn? 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).

• Cairn University Langhorne's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than VanderCook College of Music's (45%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cairn University Langhorne and VCM graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cairn University Langhorne and VCM graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCM students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.