The Juilliard School
- 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
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.
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
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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A 91% graduation rate — 60% above the national average.
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Admits just 9% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.
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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
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 9% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $43,571 a year after grants and scholarships — 154% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,827 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college, against $25,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →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.
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.
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
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.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
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.
- Visual & Performing Arts 100% $32,312 early-career
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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The Juilliard School's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Interior Designer$62,510 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Museum Curator$59,880 · 8% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Graphic Designer$58,910 · 3% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Photographer$40,760 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
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 New England Conservatory of MusicBoston, MA · Close peer76% grad $34,483 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Moore College of Art and DesignPhiladelphia, PA · Strong match60% grad $37,839 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA · Strong match65% grad $41,198 earn 32% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Manhattan School of MusicNew York, NY · Strong match78% grad $26,878 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar size · same state
- Bennington CollegeBennington, VT · Strong match69% grad $38,289 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston Salem, NC · Strong match78% grad $38,357 earn 30% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size