The New England Conservatory of Music
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 393 students.
About This School
The New England Conservatory of Music is a private nonprofit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts with approximately 393 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 41% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $46,754 per year. The graduation rate is 73%, and the typical graduate earns $41,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private music school in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The conservatory is located on Huntington Avenue along the Avenue of the Arts near Boston Symphony Hall, and is home to approximately 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies, and 1,500 more in its Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education. NEC offers bachelor's degrees in instrumental and vocal classical music performance, contemporary musical arts, composition, jazz studies, music history, and music theory, as well as graduate degrees in collaborative piano, conducting, and musicology. The conservatory has also partnered with Harvard University and Tufts University to create joint double-degree, five-year programs.
This is a strong option for serious music students who want a conservatory experience in Boston's rich cultural ecosystem — the 94% freshman retention rate suggests students who get in are genuinely committed and thriving. That said, the numbers tell a mixed story: median earnings of $41,200 a decade out mean graduates aren't pulling high salaries, so factor in the $42,556 average annual net price carefully before committing. The relatively low debt at graduation ($19,500) is a genuine bright spot, but only if your family can manage the sticker price without borrowing heavily beyond that.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (393 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
The New England Conservatory of Music
290 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115-5018
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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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