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Colleges / NY / New York
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Manhattan School of Music

Private nonprofit New York, NY · Urban · Mid-Atlantic · 87% data
A- Selectivity A- Diversity B+ Graduation
78%
B+
Graduation Rate
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
$26,878
F
Earnings (10yr)
Below average for college graduates
$51,754
F
Net Price
202% more than the typical college
41%
A-
Acceptance Rate
Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Earnings -34% vs avg
Graduation +37% vs avg
Net Price 202% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 4.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $4.3 over 20 years.

4.3× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $4.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~1 years. Net gain: $688,663.

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What The Data Says

1

A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

2

Graduate earnings fall 34% below the national college median.

3

A 78% graduation rate — 37% above the national average.

4

Every $1 invested returns $4.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Manhattan School of Music

Manhattan School of Music is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Special-Focus Institution
Carnegie Class
Special Focus
Enrollment
539
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Visual & Performing Arts

Why students choose Manhattan School of Music

Strength in Visual & Performing Arts
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 62% overall
F
Earnings
$26,878 median
F
Value
0.5× net price
F
Affordability
$51,754/yr net
B+
Graduation
78% graduate
A-
Selectivity
41% admit rate
A-
Diversity
0.73 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of just 539 students, Manhattan School of Music is ideal for those passionate about the arts, particularly in visual and performing disciplines. The acceptance rate stands at 41%, which indicates a selective process that favors dedicated artists. Here, students immerse themselves in a vibrant creative community, honing their skills in programs that emphasize performance, composition, and other artistic pursuits.

After graduation, students can expect to earn around $26,878 within ten years. While this figure may seem modest, it reflects the reality for many in the arts, where passion often precedes financial gain. The school’s affordability is a consideration, especially for those mindful of their financial future, as only 12% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating limited financial aid for those with the greatest need.

Looking at the practical aspects, the net price after aid is $51,754, coupled with a median debt of $26,994. This financial landscape suggests that students here should be prepared for a significant investment. However, those who thrive often share a deep commitment to their craft and a readiness to navigate the challenges of the arts industry. If you’re someone who values artistic expression and is willing to invest in your future, this school could be a good fit.

1

Can I Get In?

How selective Manhattan School of Music is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Manhattan School of Music? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in New York, New York, Manhattan School of Music reviews applicants selectively, with an acceptance rate near 41%. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 78%.

Acceptance Rate 41%
Retention Rate 93%
Full-Time Faculty 21%
Faculty Salary (mo) $7,792
Student–Faculty Ratio 6:1
Diversity Index 0.73
Applicants 1,027
Admitted 565
2

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Manhattan School of Music? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

When weighing the true cost of attending Manhattan School of Music, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $57,050 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $51,754 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,392 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,994.

$57,050
In-State Tuition
$57,050
Out-of-State
$51,754
Avg Net Price
$26,994
Median Debt
12%
Pell Grant Rate
33%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$31,392
Family Income $0–$30K
$38,143
Family Income $30K–$48K
$46,638
Family Income $48K–$75K
$56,540
Family Income $110K+
3

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Manhattan School of Music Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Manhattan School of Music report median earnings of $26,878; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

$18,815
6 Years After Entry
$37,166
8 Years
$26,878
10 Years
1x
Debt-to-Earnings
35%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$18,815 6yr $37,166 8yr $26,878 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

70%
100% (79)
70%
100% (79)
70%
100% (79)
70%
100% (79)

How Manhattan Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation78%Earnings 10yr$27KNet Price$52KRetention93%Median Debt$27KPell Grant Rate12%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$31K$0-30K$38K$30-48K$47K$48-75K$57K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Manhattan School of Music Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Manhattan School of Music delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $51,754/year ($207,016 total). Graduates earn $26,878 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $895,679 in total earnings — a net gain of $688,663 (4.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,994, which takes about a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 78% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

$207,016
Total Cost (4yr)
$895,679
Projected 20yr Earnings
$688,663
Net Return
4.3×
ROI Multiple
$51,754
Cost Per Year
$26,994
Median Debt
~1 yr
Debt Payback
78%
Graduation Rate
4

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
Total Expenses
$598,295
Federal Grants
$-5,809,411
Investment Income

Top Programs

The fields Manhattan School of Music awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Manhattan School of Music? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +

As a private institution in New York, New York, Manhattan School of Music reviews applicants selectively, with an acceptance rate near 41%. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 78%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Manhattan School of Music? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +

When weighing the true cost of attending Manhattan School of Music, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $57,050 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $51,754 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $31,392 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,994.

Is Manhattan School of Music Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +

Ten years out, alumni of Manhattan School of Music report median earnings of $26,878; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.

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