After VanderCook College of Music: graduation, pay and debt

Chicago, Illinois · Private · 76 undergrads

27% of VanderCook College of Music students finish within six years, the typical student earns $54,590 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $27,000 in federal loans at the median.

The short answers

$54.6k

median pay 10 years after starting college.

27%

finish within six years.

13%

finish in four years.

88%

of first-years come back for year two.

$27k

median federal debt at graduation.

63%

of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.

All the federal numbers

Finishing

Finished in four yearsCollege Scorecard, 2017 entry

13%

Finished within six yearsCollege Scorecard, 2019 entry

27%

First-years who came back for year twoCollege Scorecard, fall 2024

88%

Pay after college

Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard

$48,070

Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23

$54,590

Pay is for students who got federal aid and are working, counted from the year they started college, whether or not they finished.

Debt and paying it back

Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard

$27,000

Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release

$27,000

Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25

63%

Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release

63%

Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release

75%

Federal student loans only. Private loans and Parent PLUS loans aren't counted.

Where these numbers come from

Admit rate and applicants: IPEDS, fall 2024 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)

Updated Oct 31, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers