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The Juilliard School

Private nonprofit New York, NY · Urban · Mid-Atlantic · 87% data
A+ Selectivity A Graduation A Diversity
Graduation Rate
91% A
Most students who enroll finish their degree here
Earnings (10yr)
$37,827 C-
Below average for college graduates
Net Price
$43,571 F
154% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
9% A+
Rejects about 91 of every 100 applicants
Earnings -7% vs avg
Graduation +60% vs avg
Net Price 154% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.3 over 20 years.

10.3× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $10.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,626,220.

What The Data Says

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

  2. A 91% graduation rate — 60% above the national average.

  3. Admits just 9% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $10.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

Why The Juilliard School Matters

The Juilliard School is a private special-focus institution in New York, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.

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
468
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Visual & Performing Arts

Why students choose The Juilliard School

Highly selective peer group
Surrounded by exceptionally high-achieving students
Strength in Visual & Performing Arts
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

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

C
Top 52% overall
C-
Earnings
$37,827 median
F
Value
0.9× net price
F
Affordability
$43,571/yr net
A
Graduation
91% graduate
A+
Selectivity
9% admit rate
A
Diversity
0.78 index

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

How we grade →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 9%, The Juilliard School is a haven for passionate artists who are serious about honing their craft in the visual and performing arts. It's not just for anyone; it truly fits those who are dedicated and talented, ready to dive deep into their artistic development. Students here engage in rigorous training across disciplines like music, dance, and drama, surrounded by a community that shares their commitment to excellence.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $37,827 in their first decade. While that figure might seem modest, it's essential to recognize that many graduates in the arts often find their footing over time through varied opportunities and unique career paths. The affordability of a Juilliard education can be a concern, especially with a net price of $43,571, but this investment can pay off as graduates carve out fulfilling careers in the arts.

When we consider the financial landscape, the median debt for students stands at $25,500. This number reflects the financial commitment required, which can seem daunting. Yet, those who thrive here are typically those who are not only talented but also driven and focused on their goals. With a graduation rate of 91%, it's clear that students who choose Juilliard are serious about their futures, and with the right mindset, they can navigate the challenges ahead.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective The Juilliard School 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 The Juilliard School? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in New York, New York, The Juilliard School turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. The graduation rate is roughly 91%.

Acceptance Rate
9%
Retention Rate
98%
Full-Time Faculty
29%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$15,261
Student–Faculty Ratio
4:1
Diversity Index
0.78
Applicants
2,083
Admitted
221

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 The Juilliard School? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at The Juilliard School is $57,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $43,571. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,168 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$57,950
Out-of-State
$57,950
Avg Net Price
$43,571
Median Debt
$25,500
Pell Grant Rate
14%
Federal Loan Rate
21%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$30,168
Family Income $30K–$48K
$31,507
Family Income $48K–$75K
$40,705
Family Income $110K+
$51,160

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The Juilliard School — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is The Juilliard School Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of The Juilliard School report median earnings of $37,827, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$22,129
8 Years
$28,067
10 Years
$37,827
Debt-to-Earnings
0.67x
Earning > $25K
42%

Earnings Trajectory

$22,129 6yr $28,067 8yr $37,827 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (108)
84%
100% (108)
84%
100% (108)
84%
100% (108)
84%

How The Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation91%Earnings 10yr$38KNet Price$44KRetention98%Median Debt$26KPell Grant Rate14%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$30K$0-30K$32K$30-48K$41K$48-75K$51K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is The Juilliard School Worth It?

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

Yes — for most students, The Juilliard School delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $43,571/year ($174,284 total). Graduates earn $37,827 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,800,504 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,626,220 (10.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 91% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$174,284
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,800,504
Net Return
$1,626,220
ROI Multiple
10.3×
Cost Per Year
$43,571
Median Debt
$25,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
91%

Does It Change Lives?

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

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$1,815,844
Investment Income
$-52,068,713

Top Programs

The fields The Juilliard School awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into The Juilliard School? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in New York, New York, The Juilliard School turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. The graduation rate is roughly 91%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Juilliard School? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at The Juilliard School is $57,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $43,571. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,168 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.

Is The Juilliard School Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of The Juilliard School report median earnings of $37,827, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The Juilliard School.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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