Berklee College of Music: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Boston, Massachusetts · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Berklee College of Music is a private nonprofit university in Boston, Massachusetts that admits about 44% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $49,465 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Music, Computer Software and Media Applications and Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Berklee College of Music is a private institution located in Boston, Massachusetts with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Berklee College of Music admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 44%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $49,465 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Berklee College of Music?
Admitted students at Berklee College of Music typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
SAT and ACT scores Berklee College of Music typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
How much does Berklee College of Music actually cost?
Published tuition is $52,040 for in-state students and $52,040 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,930 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $49,465 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $49,465 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Berklee College of Music
Most popular majors at Berklee College of Music
The most popular undergraduate programs at Berklee College of Music, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Music, Computer Software and Media Applications and Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other. Across all programs, Berklee College of Music confers roughly 1,509 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Music program report a median income of about $33,368 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Music | 656 | $33,368 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 379 | — |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other | 174 | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 167 | $54,487 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 66 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 34 | — |
| Dance | 20 | $19,056 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 13 | — |
Is Berklee College of Music safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Berklee College of Music disclosed 46 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 12 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Massachusetts parents ask about
- New England Conservatory of Music41% acceptance
- Harvard University4% acceptance
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology5% acceptance
- Boston University11% acceptance
- Boston College16% acceptance
- Tufts University11% acceptance
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst60% acceptance
- University of Massachusetts-Boston84% acceptance
Next steps for Berklee College of Music
Common questions parents ask about Berklee College of Music
What GPA do I need for Berklee College of Music?
Admitted students at Berklee College of Music typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What SAT or ACT score does Berklee College of Music typically admit?
Berklee College of Music does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Berklee College of Music actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Berklee College of Music after grants and scholarships is $49,465 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $52,040. Budget against the net figure.
Is Berklee College of Music realistic for my child?
Berklee College of Music admits 44% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $49,465 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Berklee College of Music?
Berklee College of Music accepts about 44% of applicants. That makes it a selective school.
Is Berklee College of Music a public or private school, and where is it located?
Berklee College of Music is a private nonprofit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts.
What are the most popular majors at Berklee College of Music?
The largest undergraduate majors at Berklee College of Music by annual graduates are Music, Computer Software and Media Applications and Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other. The school awards about 1,509 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Berklee College of Music safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Berklee College of Music reported 46 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Berklee College of Music, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers