Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
San Francisco Conservatory of Music logo

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, CA·Private nonprofit·215 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings barely cover the debt load. a private nonprofit school with 215 students.

52%
Accept
215
Students
N/A
Net Price
52%
Grad Rate
$30,800
Earnings
10 yr
$27,000
Debt

About This School

San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a private nonprofit institution located in San Francisco, California with approximately 215 undergraduate students enrolled. San Francisco Conservatory of Music has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 52%. In-state tuition is $54,550 per year. The graduation rate is 52%, and the typical graduate earns $30,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) is a private music conservatory in San Francisco, California, United States. As of 2025, it had 447 students.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 52% graduation rate means roughly half of students don't finish, and those who do earn a median of just $30,800 a decade later — modest payoff for $27,000 in debt and years of intensive training. Worth considering only if you're deeply committed to a performance career and have a clear-eyed plan for how you'll build income in a tough industry, since the small campus (215 undergrads) does offer an intimate, focused environment that larger music programs can't match.

Founded
1917

Notable Alumni

Yehudi MenuhinJohn AdamsIsaac SternBarbara EdenGeorge DukeDavid WoodardGwendoline YeoJean-Paul PeninCarla KihlstedtLéopold Simoneau

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$54,550
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,550
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
52%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
74%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
N/A
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$30,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.1x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

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

Student Body

White30%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (215 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, CA

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

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.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.