VanderCook College of Music vs American Conservatory Theater

VanderCook College of Music and American Conservatory Theater, two esteemed institutions dedicated to nurturing artistic talent, offer distinct educational experiences for aspiring musicians and actors. While both schools share a commitment to excellence, they differ in several key aspects. VanderCook, a music conservatory, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students to pursue their musical aspirations. Its popular majors include Music Education, Music Performance, and Music Theory and Composition. In contrast, American Conservatory Theater, a drama school, has a lower acceptance rate, ensuring a highly selective and competitive environment. Acting, Directing, and Playwriting are among its sought-after programs. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal school for your artistic journey.
American Conservatory Theater logo

American Conservatory Theater

VanderCook College of Music logo

VanderCook College of Music

Overview

Location San Francisco, California Chicago, Illinois
Campus setting City: Large City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 73.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate N/A 100.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $90

Graduate: $90
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score 5.0%
Total number of applicants 26
Total number of admissions given out 26
Admitted students who chose to enroll 20
Yield rate 76.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $51,676 $42,600
Average net price $20,855
Tuition $30,235 $27,670
Room & board
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $15,183
Students receiving federal student loan 55.0%
Average amount $5,167
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $12,000

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 11
Men 45.5% Women 54.5%
88
Men 52.3% Women 47.7%
Graduate students 13
Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
164
Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity N/A
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students N/A 2.8%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity N/A N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? N/A N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 6:1 4:1
Institutional accreditation N/A Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 100.0% 65.0%
Dropout rate N/A 35.0%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $18,087
  • Year 3: $27,588
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,759
  • Year 2: $36,848
  • Year 3: $42,184

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