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Cheapest Music Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College breaks every expectation about elite music education costs, offering net prices of just $14,852 despite a sticker price exceeding $64,000. This makes music study more affordable than many state schools, where net costs range from $17,970 at Bridgewater State to $23,691 at UMass Amherst. The gap between private and public becomes meaningless when financial aid transforms Harvard ($16,816 net) and MIT ($19,813 net) into bargains compared to schools like Hampshire College at $25,810. Massachusetts music graduates earn between $21,234 and $33,993 annually, finding opportunities across the state's thriving arts scene from Boston Symphony Hall to Berklee-adjacent recording studios. The concentration of top-tier conservatories and universities creates an ecosystem where student musicians regularly collaborate with professional ensembles and benefit from internships at major venues.
34
Programs
$14,852 – $50,404
Net Price Range
$26,654
Avg. Program Earnings
74.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Music Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
2 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
3 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
4 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
5 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
6 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
7 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
8 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
9 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
10 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
11 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
12 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
13 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
14 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
15 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
16 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
17 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
18 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
19 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
20 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
21 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
22 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
23 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
24 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
25 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
26 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
27 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
28 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
29 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
30 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
31 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%
32 $42,556 $58,550 77.8% 37.6%
33 $46,766 $55,392 79.3% 42.8%
34 $50,404 $50,270 66.3% 54.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do elite private colleges offer music programs cheaper than state schools?

Williams College and Harvard provide net costs of $14,852 and $16,816 respectively through generous need-based aid, making them more affordable than UMass Amherst at $23,691 net cost. These schools use large endowments to subsidize music education for middle and lower-income families. Even MIT, primarily known for engineering, offers music programs at $19,813 net cost with strong financial support.

What salary range can music graduates expect in Massachusetts?

Music graduates from state universities earn between $21,234 and $33,993 annually, with UMass Amherst graduates achieving the highest earnings at $33,993. Bridgewater State music graduates start at $21,234, while Salem State graduates earn $29,520. These figures reflect entry-level positions in education, performance, and music industry roles concentrated around Boston's cultural district.

Is the graduation rate gap significant between cheap and expensive programs?

Private colleges maintain graduation rates above 90%, with Williams at 96.60% and Harvard at 97.30%, while public options range from 49% to 83.20%. UMass Amherst achieves the strongest public school performance at 83.20% graduation rate. Eastern Nazarene College presents an outlier with only 35.30% graduation rate despite moderate costs, suggesting affordability alone doesn't guarantee completion.

How competitive are admissions for affordable music programs?

Acceptance rates span from ultra-selective 3.24% at Harvard to open-access 95.52% at UMass Dartmouth, creating options for every skill level. Most affordable private schools like Williams accept only 8.50% of applicants, while state universities maintain rates between 63% and 95%. Salem State offers the most accessible option at 92.66% acceptance with reasonable net costs of $18,441.

Where do Massachusetts music students find the best value combination?

UMass Amherst delivers the strongest value proposition with $23,691 net cost, 83.20% graduation rate, and highest graduate earnings at $33,993. Students seeking elite training should consider Williams College at $14,852 net cost with 96.60% graduation rates. Salem State provides middle-ground value at $18,441 with 92.66% acceptance rates and solid regional job placement opportunities.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.