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The New England Conservatory of Music

The New England Conservatory of Music

Boston, MA · City · 393 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$46,754
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
76%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
63% typical
$34,483
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$39,254 typical
41%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

As the oldest independent music conservatory in the United States, The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is internationally renowned for its elite performance programs in classical music, jazz, contemporary improvisation, and composition. Located in Boston's vibrant cultural hub, the school offers an intensely focused yet collaborative environment where ambitious musicians receive personalized mentorship from world-class artists. NEC is uniquely distinguished by its deep connection to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, whose members make up a significant portion of the faculty, as well as its legendary Jordan Hall, a National Historic Landmark celebrated for its world-class acoustics. Prospective students also benefit from prestigious five-year dual-degree programs offered in partnership with nearby Harvard University and Tufts University.


Wikipedia:The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The conservatory is located on Huntington Avenue along the Avenue of the Arts near Boston Symphony Hall, and is home to approximately 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies, and 1,500 more in its Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education. NEC offers bachelor's degrees in instrumental and vocal classical music performance, contemporary musical arts, composition, jazz studies, music history, and music theory, as well as graduate degrees in collaborative piano, conducting, and musicology. The conservatory has also partnered with Harvard University and Tufts University to create joint double-degree, five-year programs.

Location
Boston, MA, 02115-5018 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
4 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$60,750
Housing & food (on campus)$20,010
Books & supplies$500
Cost of attendance$81,277
Average net price$46,754
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$60,750
Housing & food (on campus)$20,010
Books & supplies$500
Cost of attendance$81,277
Average net price$46,754
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$47,882
$30–48k
$44,882
$48–75k
$45,625
$75–110k
$45,608
$110k+
$47,387
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
76%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
47%
Back for yr 2
88%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
81% graduated · 4% transferred · 15% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$18,830
10 yrs after entry$34,483
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$15.5k–$35k
90th percentile$37,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Special focus — arts, music & design: 63% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
41%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If The New England Conservatory of Music asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 55%Women 45%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
5 : 1
Pell grant
7%
Family income
$90,092
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
4%
Race & ethnicity
White
33%
Hispanic
6%
Black
2%
Asian
9%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
43%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$18,830
After 10 yrs
$34,483
Music105
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$164M
Full-time faculty
30%
Faculty salary
$7,937/mo
Teaching spend
$46,533
per student
Federal loans
23%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — arts, music & design
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if The New England Conservatory of Music is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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