Manhattan School of Music

This is a pure-play conservatory—no gen-ed distractions, no football team, just relentless musical training. Degrees span bachelor's to Doctor of Musical Arts, with programs in:

• Classical performance (including niche instruments like harp)
• Jazz performance
• Contemporary performance
• Composition

Faculty are active NYC musicians, and the curriculum leans heavily on one-on-one studio instruction. Over 600 annual concerts on campus mean students perform constantly, whether in masterclasses, ensembles, or solo recitals. Reviews consistently highlight the faculty's industry connections and willingness to nurture individual artistic voices.

Life orbits around practice rooms, rehearsals, and NYC's music scene. There's little traditional college frivolity—no Greek life, limited dorms (many students live off-campus), and socializing often happens at late-night jam sessions. That said, student organizations like Fusion: One World celebrate the school's international diversity (students from 50+ countries). The real 'campus' extends into Lincoln Center jazz clubs and Broadway theaters, where students frequently score gigs.

The numbers tell a nuanced story: a 76% graduation rate (well above the 59% national average for 4-year colleges) but median earnings of $30,305 post-graduation—half the typical bachelor's degree holder's income. This reflects the freelance-heavy reality of music careers. Alumni often cobble together teaching, gigging, and session work; those who land orchestra jobs or Broadway contracts fare better. MSM's value lies in its NYC network, not a guaranteed paycheck.

Sticker shock is real: total cost of attendance hits $84,475, though the average aid package brings the net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $51,879. About 69% of students receive some aid, with 56% getting grants (average $20,354). School-specific grants average $22,473, and 32% take out loans. The financial aid office emphasizes using their net price calculator, as awards heavily factor in artistic merit.

MSM offers unfiltered access to NYC's music ecosystem—faculty who play at the Met, classmates booking Broadway shows before graduation, and a no-nonsense focus on craft. It's not for dabblers: the workload is brutal, the costs high, and the post-grad income modest. But for those committed to life as performers, it provides industry immersion unmatched by university music departments. As one Reddit user put it after being accepted: 'This is where you go when you're serious.'