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Longy School of Music of Bard College

Cambridge, MA·Private nonprofit·10 students
Last updated: April 1, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. strong 78% graduation rate; financial aid brings net price below sticker.

N/A
Accept
10
Students
$38,530
Net Price
78%
Grad Rate
$43,700
Earnings
10 yr
$24,254
Debt

About This School

Longy School of Music of Bard College is a private nonprofit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts with approximately 10 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $38,530 per year. The graduation rate is 78%, and the typical graduate earns $43,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

This school is best suited for the rare, intensely focused music student who wants a conservatory experience in a vibrant academic city and is genuinely committed to a career in music performance or education. Cambridge is an extraordinary place to study, and the connection to Bard adds some academic breadth that a pure conservatory often lacks — those are real advantages. That said, the financial picture deserves a hard look: at $38,530 per year in net cost, you're taking on significant expense for a median earnings outcome of just $43,700 a decade out, which means graduates are likely spending years financially stretched if they borrowed to attend. The good news is that median debt at graduation sits at a relatively manageable $24,254, suggesting many students find meaningful aid — so before you rule it out or commit, get your actual aid offer in hand and run the real numbers. If the offer brings your net cost down substantially and your student has a clear-eyed plan for building a sustainable music career, this could be a genuinely meaningful fit; if the sticker price holds, the math is tough to justify.

Setting
Midsize city
Avg Faculty Salary
$5,720

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts100%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$55,275
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,275
Avg Net Price
$38,530
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants6%
Median debt at graduation$24,254

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
78%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
86%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$24,254
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$31,300
Female graduates$30,700

Gap: 2% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$24,254
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$43,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White20%
Asian10%
International70%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Longy School of Music of Bard College

27 Garden Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

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See How Colleges Compare

Longy School of Music of Bard College is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Longy School of Music of Bard College cost?

The average net price at Longy School of Music of Bard College is about $38,530 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Longy School of Music of Bard College?

Longy School of Music of Bard College has a graduation rate of 78%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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