The New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music is a private nonprofit university in Boston, MA ranked #1528 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of C+, enrolling about 371 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 42.8%. Students most often pursue Music.
Academically, students benefit from a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, 93.6% first-year retention, and 77.8% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $42,556, about $25,558 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -88.9%, roughly 174.2 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $18,830. That's about $24,858 below national results. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is The New England Conservatory of Music Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
The New England Conservatory of Music graduates 77.8% of students within six years and keeps 93.6% of first-year students. Affordability earns a D- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use The New England Conservatory of Music's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $58,550 |
| Books and Supplies | $500 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $19,287 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $2,940 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $77,870 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 7.5% of The New England Conservatory of Music students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $26,175 to $49,187 depending on family income. Use The New England Conservatory of Music's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $46,237/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $49,187/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $18,830
- 10-Year Median Earnings $18,830
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $19,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 78.8%
- Employment Rate 66.1%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for The New England Conservatory of Music graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
The New England Conservatory of Music vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how The New England Conservatory of Music's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes The New England Conservatory of Music's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While The New England Conservatory of Music graduates earn $18,830 median, the -88.9% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 371
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 93.6%
- Graduation Rate 77.8%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 5:1
How to Get Into The New England Conservatory of Music
1. Meet Academic Requirements: The New England Conservatory of Music requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 42.8%, The New England Conservatory of Music is moderately selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: The New England Conservatory of Music accepts 42.8% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Focus on strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays to stand out.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among The New England Conservatory of Music undergraduates. Music draws the most students.
- Music 100.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Music $33,247
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Music (Master's Degree) $24,463
Program Choice Matters: Graduate: Music programs lead with $24,463 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for The New England Conservatory of Music. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Music (Master's Degree, 119 graduates)
- Music (Bachelor's Degree, 118 graduates)
- Music (Graduate/Professional Certificate, 20 graduates)
- Music (Doctoral Degree, 12 graduates)
- Music (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma, 3 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (1 program)▼
- Music
Online Master's Degrees (1 program)▼
- Music
Online Doctoral Degrees (1 program)▼
- Music
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (1 program)▼
- Music
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (1 program)▼
- Music
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 371
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 54.7%
- Female Students 45.3%
- Caucasian 35.6%
- Asian 10.8%
- Hispanic 1.6%
- Black 1.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients 7.5%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects The New England Conservatory of Music's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of The New England Conservatory of Music's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does The New England Conservatory of Music support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at The New England Conservatory of Music, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: The New England Conservatory of Music has a diverse student body, with 35.6% identifying as White. About 7.5% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does The New England Conservatory of Music support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at The New England Conservatory of Music, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
The New England Conservatory of Music offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -88.9% ROI. Ranked #1528 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $42,556 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $18,830 median earnings. With 77.8% graduating within six years and 93.6% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: The New England Conservatory of Music's Positioning
With a C+ grade and #1528 ranking, The New England Conservatory of Music competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $42,556 annually, The New England Conservatory of Music charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 93.6% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $29,789 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -88.9% ROI and $18,830 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $32,556+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: The New England Conservatory of Music ranks #1528 of 1966 institutions, with 1764 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 77.8% six-year graduation rate sits 15.3 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 93.6% first-year retention is 16.8 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -88.9% return on investment is 174.2 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $18,830 run about 57% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $42,556 is roughly $22,646 higher than the national median of $19,910.
Helpfulness for Students
- 5:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 93.6% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 66.1% employment rate within three years sits 2.1 points below national outcomes.
- Average net price of $42,556 is about $22,646 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 7.5% trails the national share by 25.9 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
EDsmart rates The New England Conservatory of Music—a private nonprofit university in Boston, MA—at C+ overall. It is currently ranked #1528 nationally Grades by category break down as Completion A, Support A, Career Outcomes C-, and Affordability D-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
93.6% of learners come back after year one while 77.8% complete the degree within six years. The reported ROI is -88.9%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $42,556 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $77,870.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $35,314 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $19,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 7.5% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $18,830 six years after enrollment. That sits about 57% below the national median.
Roughly 66.1% of graduates are employed three years out.
EDsmart lists the ROI at -88.9%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
42.8% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the The New England Conservatory of Music admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Similar Schools
Institutions with similar academic profiles, selectivity, and outcomes
Nearby Schools
Other campuses you might consider
Other Massachusetts campuses you might consider
Contact Information
- Address Boston, MA 02115-5018
- Website necmusic.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationNew England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Endowment$138.4M