Berklee College of Music : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Berklee College of Music
In this corner of Boston, music spills out of practice rooms at all hours. Berklee College of Music is known for contemporary training that blends performance, writing, production, and the business side. Courses lean into collaboration, with ensembles and studio projects that feel like the real thing. Many instructors are active professionals. And the feedback is hands-on, sometimes blunt, always focused on growth.
The campus stacks recording studios, performance spaces, technology labs, and a small city's worth of practice rooms. Students find advising, wellness support, tutoring, and a career center that connects auditions, internships, and visiting-artist panels. Life here hums with ensembles, jam nights, student-run sessions, and cross-campus collaborations. The culture is driven but friendly, more groove than ego. Boston adds clubs, theaters, and creative companies within easy reach. Alumni include Quincy Jones, Esperanza Spalding, and John Mayer.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects
Explore degree programs offered at Berklee College of Music with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in Massachusetts. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.
Arts (23)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
50.0301
Dance, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2031 | Dancers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27-2032 | Choreographers | $62,020 | $71,970 | +$9,950 (+16%) |
50.0507
Directing and Theatrical Production.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2011 | Actors | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27-2012 | Producers and Directors | $114,280 | $69,440 | -$44,840 (-39.2%) |
| 27-2099 | Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.0509
Musical Theatre.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2011 | Actors | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27-2012 | Producers and Directors | $114,280 | $69,440 | -$44,840 (-39.2%) |
| 27-2031 | Dancers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27-2032 | Choreographers | $62,020 | $71,970 | +$9,950 (+16%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
| 27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.0903
Music Performance, General.
(Cert<1y, Assoc, Cert2y+, BSc, PostBacCert, MSc)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
| 27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.0904
Music Theory and Composition.
(Assoc, Cert2y+, BSc, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
50.0906
Conducting.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
50.0912
Music Pedagogy.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.0913
Music Technology.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
| 27-2091 | Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27-4014 | Sound Engineering Technicians | $79,280 | $73,610 | -$5,670 (-7.2%) |
50.0999
Music, Other.
(Assoc, Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
| 27-2042 | Musicians and Singers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
50.1003
Music Management.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 27-2041 | Music Directors and Composers | $84,230 | $87,720 | +$3,490 (+4.1%) |
Computer & IT (3)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
11.0899
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other.
(Assoc, Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99-9999 | NO MATCH | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Eng. Technologies (3)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
15.9999
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other.
(Assoc, Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99-9999 | NO MATCH | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Education (3)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
13.1312
Music Teacher Education.
(Cert2y+, BSc, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,500 | $77,650 | -$850 (-1.1%) |
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,240 | $92,280 | -$9,960 (-9.7%) |
| 25-2022 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $70,040 | $82,850 | +$12,810 (+18.3%) |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $73,700 | $81,420 | +$7,720 (+10.5%) |
Health (2)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.2305
Music Therapy/Therapist.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in Massachusetts
| SOC Code | Occupation | US National | Massachusetts Avg | MA vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,900 | $133,090 | -$4,810 (-3.5%) |
| 29-1129 | Therapists, All Other | $73,800 | $70,840 | -$2,960 (-4%) |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Berklee College of Music
How much does it cost to attend Berklee College of Music?
The annual tuition at Berklee College of Music is $50,270 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $73,418 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $19,440 and books and supplies $1,085.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Berklee College of Music offer?
Berklee College of Music offers 40 academic programs across 5 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (23 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (3 programs)
- Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support (3 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Berklee College of Music?
Berklee College of Music has an 49.9% acceptance rate and a 42% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 7,167
- Students admitted: 3,577
- Students enrolled: 1,502
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Berklee College of Music?
Berklee College of Music provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $21,587 and average loans of $14,769.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,237
- State/Local grants: $1,405
- Institutional grants: $21,593
- Federal loans: $5,362
The university supports 1,029 students with grants and 498 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Berklee College of Music graduates?
Berklee College of Music graduates earn a median salary of $26,462 after 6 years and $33,647 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $12,235 (25th percentile) to $61,842 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $70,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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