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The New England Conservatory of Music

Overview

At a Glance

School type

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

Faculty

405 Faculty Members | 1:1 student faculty ratio

Religious affliation

Not applicable

General Information

Address

The New England Conservatory of Music

290 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

See on Map
Phone

(617) 585-1100

Website
https://necmusic.edu/

Mission Statement

The mission of New England Conservatory is the education and training of musicians of all ages from around the world, drawing on the talents of an accomplished faculty and nurturing individual excellence in a challenging and supportive community dedicated to the highest standards of performance, teaching and scholarship. In so doing, NEC aspires to ensure that music has a central place in public life and that the broader value of a rigorous music education is recognized.

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Mission Statement

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The mission of New England Conservatory is the education and training of musicians of all ages from around the world, drawing on the talents of an accomplished faculty and nurturing individual excellence in a challenging and supportive community dedicated to the highest standards of performance, teaching and scholarship. In so doing, NEC aspires to ensure that music has a central place in public life and that the broader value of a rigorous music education is recognized.

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cost & financial aid

Annual tuition & fees

Undergraduate

In state

$53,730

Out of state

$53,730
Graduate

In state

$53,730

Out of state

$53,730

Financial Aid: Undergraduates

Received financial aid
96%
Did not receive aid
4%
Type of aid % of students recieving aid Average amount
Federal grants 24.0% $4,102
State/local grants 5.0% $2,625
Institutional grants 96.0% $22,307
Loans 37.0% $5,014

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

Review this step-by-step guide on everything you need to do to complete your application.

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Academics

Most Popular Undergraduate majors

  • Stringed Instruments
  • Voice and Opera
  • Keyboard Instruments
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Woodwind Instruments
Full List of Majors

Undergraduate Majors X

  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • Music History, Literature, and Theory
      • A program that focuses on the study of the historical evolution of music as a social and intellectual phenomenon, the development of musical instruments and techniques, and the analysis and criticism of musical literature. Includes instruction in music history research methods, aesthetic analysis of musical compositions, history of musical writing and notation, the development of musical instruments, the development of music theory, and the study of specific periods, cultural traditions, styles, and themes. 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
    • Keyboard Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Voice and Opera
      • A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Jazz/Jazz Studies
      • A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of Jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Stringed Instruments
      • A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Brass Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Woodwind Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Percussion Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major

Most Popular Graduate programs

  • Stringed Instruments
  • Jazz/Jazz Studies
  • Woodwind Instruments
  • Keyboard Instruments
  • Voice and Opera
Full List of Programs

Graduate ProgramsX

  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
    • 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
    • Musicology and Ethnomusicology
      • A program that focuses on the systematic study of the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music, in Western and non-Western societies and cultures. Includes instruction in music theory, musicological research methods, and studies of specific cultural styles such as jazz, folk music, rock, ethnic musical traditions, and the music of non-Western cultures. 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
    • Keyboard Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Voice and Opera
      • A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Jazz/Jazz Studies
      • A program that prepares individuals to study and master the performance and composition of Jazz. Includes instruction in the history of Jazz and related musical styles such as the Blues, Jazz composition and theory, improvisation, Jazz instrument and ensemble performance, and related topics. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Stringed Instruments
      • A program that prepares individual to master a stringed instrument and performing arts as solo, ensemble and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. 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
    • Brass Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master a brass instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Woodwind Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major
    • Percussion Instruments
      • A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development. See other colleges that offer this major

Types of Degrees Offered

  • Certificate
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree
No Information for this section

Admissions

Undergraduate acceptance rate

Acceptance rate
43.28%
  • Apply 952
  • Accepted 412
  • Attend 90

Application Fee

Undergraduate
$125
Graduate
$125

Undergraduate application requirements

  • High school transcript

    Required

  • High school GPA

    Required

  • Recommendation letter

    Required

  • Admissions test
    (SAT or ACT)

    Not applicable

  • TOEFL
    (international students)

    Required

  • Completion of college
    prep program

    Not applicable

  • Demonstration of
    competencies

    Required
No Information for this section

Student Life

Student Demographics

Female Students
47%
Male Students
53%
Student Ethnicities
  1. Two Or More Ethnicities44.86%
  2. Caucasian38.69%
  3. Asian10.64%
  4. Black2.18%
  5. Hispanic/Latino2.06%
  6. Not Specified1.45%
  7. American Indian/Alaska Native0.12%

Student body breakdown

Total students enrolled

779

Undergraduate students

432

Graduate students

347

Attendance breakdown

Full time
90%
Part time
10%

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

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.