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Berklee College of Music

Overview

At a Glance

School type

Private, not-for-profit, 4-year or above

School Size & Setting

Large | Urban

Students-to-Faculty Ratio

9:1

Religious affliation

Not applicable

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cost & financial aid

Annual tuition & fees

Undergraduate

In state

$48,330

Out of state

$48,330
Graduate

In state

$48,355

Out of state

$48,355

Financial Aid: Undergraduates

Received financial aid
67%
Type of aid % of students receiving aid Average amount
Federal grants 11.0% $6,358
State/local grants 1.0% $1,778
Institutional grants 56.0% $19,153
Loans 24.0% $17,737

Other Estimated Costs

Housing

$19,010 per year

Books & Supplies

$1,000 per year

Personal Expenses

$2,280 per year

Pay For College with ROTC

Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) is a college scholarship program that prepares students to become military officers

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Financial aid resources

Paying for college

Learn about different ways to cover costs, incluing financial aid, GI Bills, grants and scholarships

Applying for financial Aid

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Academics

Most Popular Undergraduate majors

  • Computer Software and Media Applications, Other
  • Music, Other
  • Music Performance, General
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
Full List of Majors

Undergraduate Majors X

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
  • EDUCATION
  • ENGINEERING/ENGINEERING-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS
    • Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS
    • Music Therapy/Therapist
      • A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients. Includes instruction in music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, disabling conditions, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment plan development and implementation, clinical evaluation, record-keeping, and professional standards and ethics. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Dance, General
      • A general program that prepares individuals to express ideas, feelings, and/or inner visions through the performance of one or more of the dance disciplines, including but not limited to ballet, modern, jazz, ethnic, and folk dance, and that focuses on the study and analysis of dance as a cultural phenomenon. Includes instruction in technique, choreography, Laban notation, dance history and criticism, and dance production. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Directing and Theatrical Production
      • A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in theatrical design, program management, dramatic production, rehearsal management, personnel management and casting, actor coaching, directing concepts and techniques, theater history, scene work, script interpretation, business management, marketing, public relations, and communications skills. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Musical Theatre
      • A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music, General
      • A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Performance, General
      • A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Theory and Composition
      • A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Technology
      • A program that focuses on the creative aspects of the blending of music and technology; and that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the composition, recording, synthesis, and performance of music; audio-visual production; scoring for film and multimedia; and software and multimedia development. Includes instruction in music theory, music history, composition, acoustics, recording technology, computer composition, electronic music synthesis, technology-based performance, 3D sound and spatial audio, and music business and law. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music, Other
    • Music Management
      • A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing and fundraising; personnel management and labor relations; event promotion and management; music products merchandising; artist agency and promotion; music law; and applications to specific activities such as managing theaters, recording studios and companies, bands and other ensembles, individual artists, and music organizations. See other colleges that offer this major

Most Popular Graduate programs

  • Music Management
  • Music Performance, General
  • Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Computer Software and Media Applications, Other
  • Music Pedagogy
Full List of Programs

Graduate ProgramsX

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
  • EDUCATION
  • ENGINEERING/ENGINEERING-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS
    • Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS
    • Music Therapy/Therapist
      • A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of clients. Includes instruction in music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, disabling conditions, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment plan development and implementation, clinical evaluation, record-keeping, and professional standards and ethics. See other colleges that offer this major
  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Musical Theatre
      • A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Performance, General
      • A program that generally prepares individuals to master musical instruments and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers. Includes instruction on one or more specific instruments from various instrumental groupings. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Theory and Composition
      • A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Conducting
      • A program that prepares individuals to master the art of leading bands, choirs, orchestras and other ensembles in performance, and related music leadership. Includes instruction in score analysis and arranging, rehearsal and performance leadership, music coaching, arrangement and performance planning, ensemble operations management, and applications to specific school or professional ensembles. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Pedagogy
      • A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music Technology
      • A program that focuses on the creative aspects of the blending of music and technology; and that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the composition, recording, synthesis, and performance of music; audio-visual production; scoring for film and multimedia; and software and multimedia development. Includes instruction in music theory, music history, composition, acoustics, recording technology, computer composition, electronic music synthesis, technology-based performance, 3D sound and spatial audio, and music business and law. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Music, Other
    • Music Management
      • A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing and fundraising; personnel management and labor relations; event promotion and management; music products merchandising; artist agency and promotion; music law; and applications to specific activities such as managing theaters, recording studios and companies, bands and other ensembles, individual artists, and music organizations. See other colleges that offer this major
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Admissions

Undergraduate acceptance rate

Acceptance rate
54.23%
  • Apply 7,286
  • Accepted 3,951
  • Attend 1,627

Application Fee

Undergraduate
$150
Graduate
$150

Undergraduate application requirements

  • High school transcript

    Required
  • High school GPA

    Required
  • Recommendation letter

    Not applicable
  • Admissions test
    (SAT or ACT)

    Not applicable
  • TOEFL
    (international students)

    Required
  • Completion of college
    prep program

    Not applicable
  • Demonstration of
    competencies

    Required
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Student Life

Student Demographics

Female Students
43%
Male Students
57%

Student Ethnicities
  1. Caucasian40.03%
  2. Two Or More Ethnicities34.56%
  3. Hispanic/Latino11.7%
  4. Black5.93%
  5. Asian5.48%
  6. Not Specified1.98%
  7. American Indian/Alaska Native0.16%
  8. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0.16%

Student body breakdown

Total students enrolled

9,314

Undergraduate students

8,387

Graduate students

927

Full Time Students
79%
Part Time Students
21%

Student services

  • Meal plan
  • Counseling services
  • Remedial services
  • Work-study
  • Placement services
  • Study abroad
  • Weekend/evening classes
  • On-campus day care for student's children
No Information for this section