B
Good
Score: 63/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
30/100 · earnings-weighted

Berklee College of Music

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Berklee College of Music campus, Boston, MA
Berklee College of Music campus, Boston, MA. Photo: Jhillis at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
B+
79/100
Affordability
F
20/100
Resources
B+
75/100
Experience
A
82/100
Prestige
C+
58/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

8,448
Total Enrollment
66%
Graduation Rate
85%
Retention Rate
10.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
50%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Berklee College of Music, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$33,647
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$26,462
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$25,000
Median debt at graduation
67.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
16.2%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 74% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 1st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MA wage index 1.29). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Berklee College of Music

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management$40,324$59,703+24%#7 of 43#15$25,543
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians$26,827$48,069-41%#15 of 15#15$24,544
Computer Software and Media Applications$19,370$40,186-32%#53 of 54#53$24,250
Music$18,177$38,617-10%#213 of 268#240$23,392
Visual and Performing Arts$13,771$37,117-22%#10 of 10#10$27,000
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$36,349————$23,750
Dance$22,993$35,702-11%#46 of 58#54$27,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Berklee College of Music Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $702,388
  • Avg rent near campus: $3,414/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 02119 (4.0% cap, Boston)

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🏆 Where Berklee College of Music Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

🥇
Music Therapy/Therapist
of 2 schools
🥈
Musical Theatre
of 6 schools
🥉
Music Theory and Composition
of 6 schools
#4
Music, Other
of 9 schools
#4
Music Management
of 15 schools
#5
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
of 19 schools
#6
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other
of 21 schools
#11
Music Teacher Education
of 41 schools
#16
Dance, General
of 27 schools
#24
Music Performance, General
of 79 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $48,830 $48,830
Total Cost (On-Campus) $73,418 $73,418

Financial Aid

78%
Receive Any Aid
11%
Receive Pell Grants
33%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

8,448
Total Students
44%
Women
82%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 39%
Hispanic 12%
Black 6%
Asian 6%
Two or More 4%
Non-Resident 31%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 55%
Hybrid (Some Online) 23%
Fully Online 22%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 82%
25-64 (Adult) 17%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Berklee College of Music?
Berklee College of Music has an acceptance rate of 50%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Berklee College of Music?
Tuition at Berklee College of Music is $48,830 for in-state students and $48,830 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Berklee College of Music?
The graduation rate at Berklee College of Music is 66%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is Berklee College of Music a good school?
Berklee College of Music has a Repit College Score of 63/100 (Grade: B). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (B+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (C+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Berklee College of Music?
Berklee College of Music has a total enrollment of 8,448 students. Most students (82%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Berklee College of Music

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

B
Emerson College
Boston, MA · 5,670 students
B
Clark University
Worcester, MA · 4,124 students
B
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA · 7,353 students
C+
Simmons University
Boston, MA · 5,053 students
C+
Stonehill College
Easton, MA · 2,584 students
C+
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA · 5,688 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology