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San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, CA·Private nonprofit·226 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 226 students.

55%
Accept
226
Students
$42,607
Net Price
74%
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 226 undergraduate students enrolled. San Francisco Conservatory of Music has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 55%. The average net price after financial aid is $42,607 per year. The graduation rate is 74%, 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
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$15,211

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts100%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

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

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$56,150
Out-of-State Tuition
$56,150
Avg Net Price
$42,607
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$55,704
$30–48k$33,386
$48–75k$24,504
$75–110k$36,802
$110k+$45,245

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants17%
Median debt at graduation$27,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
74%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
93%
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

White22%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian8%
Two or more races8%
International30%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (226 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

50 Oak Street

San Francisco, CA 94102-6011

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

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