The New England Conservatory of Music
- Graduation Rate
- 76% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,483 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $46,754 F
- 173% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 41% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,721,907.
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 76% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About The New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory 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
- 393
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose The New England Conservatory of Music
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
Selective — admits about 41% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $46,754 a year after grants and scholarships — 173% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,483 ten years after enrolling — 15% below the typical college, against $27,000 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
The New England Conservatory of Music is a great fit for students passionate about the arts, particularly in visual and performing arts. With an acceptance rate of 41%, it attracts a diverse group of creative individuals who want to immerse themselves in a vibrant musical environment. The school’s smaller enrollment of 393 students fosters a close-knit community, which can be especially beneficial for those who thrive in collaborative and intimate settings.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $34,483 within ten years. While this number might not place graduates at the very top of the income scale, it reflects a stable start in the arts field. The relatively low Pell Grant rate of 7% suggests that most students are likely to be self-sufficient or supported by family, which can impact their opportunities and experiences during their studies.
When it comes to the practical aspects, the net price after aid stands at $46,754, and the median debt upon graduation is $27,000. This financial picture indicates that while attending the conservatory can be a significant investment, many students find their niche and thrive in an environment that prioritizes artistic growth. Those who succeed here often share a deep commitment to their craft and a willingness to engage fully with their education and community.
Can I Get In?
How selective The New England Conservatory of Music 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 New England Conservatory of Music? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The New England Conservatory of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 41%. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 41%
- Retention Rate
- 88%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,937
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- Applicants
- 815
- Admitted
- 306
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 New England Conservatory of Music? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The New England Conservatory of Music is $60,750, 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 $46,754. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $47,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $60,750
- Out-of-State
- $60,750
- Avg Net Price
- $46,754
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 7%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 23%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $47,882
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $44,882
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $45,625
- Family Income $110K+
- $47,387
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The New England Conservatory of Music Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The New England Conservatory of Music report median earnings of $34,483, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $18,830
- 8 Years
- $29,543
- 10 Years
- $34,483
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.78x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (40)
- 53%
- 100% (40)
- 53%
- 100% (40)
- 53%
- 100% (40)
- 53%
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 New England Conservatory of Music Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The New England Conservatory of Music delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $46,754/year ($187,016 total). Graduates earn $34,483 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,908,923 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,721,907 (10.2× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $187,016
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,908,923
- Net Return
- $1,721,907
- ROI Multiple
- 10.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $46,754
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $926,902
- Investment Income
- $-10,914,345
Top Programs
The fields The New England Conservatory 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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The New England Conservatory of Music'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 New England Conservatory of Music? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The New England Conservatory of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 41%. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The New England Conservatory of Music? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The New England Conservatory of Music is $60,750, 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 $46,754. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $47,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is The New England Conservatory of Music Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The New England Conservatory of Music report median earnings of $34,483, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The New England Conservatory of Music.
- Manhattan School of MusicNew York, NY · Close peer78% grad $26,878 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Beacon CollegeLeesburg, FL · Close peer59% grad $29,420 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- Moore College of Art and DesignPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer60% grad $37,839 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Berklee College of MusicBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $33,647 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bennington CollegeBennington, VT · Close peer69% grad $38,289 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUM Bible College and Theological SeminaryEl Dorado Hills, CA · Close peer67% grad $35,418 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
