At $32,623/yr net price, Cleveland Institute of Music graduates earn $32,641/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $32,623 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $130,492 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,641/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,359/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,968 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,523/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,698/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $33,245/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,843/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,186/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music. | Master | $18,498 | $39,673 |
The Risk Factor
68.5% of students at Cleveland Institute of Music graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Cleveland Institute of Music has a hard financial problem: your median earnings ten years out roughly match one year's net price. You pay about $32,600 a year, and a decade after enrolling the typical graduate earns about the same number annually. That is a poor return on a private-college bill, and it colors everything else here.
This is a conservatory, so the low earnings figure tracks the music field itself. Performance and composition careers pay unevenly, and many graduates piece together teaching, gigging, and part-time work. No bachelor-level program salary data is listed, so avoid assuming any single major here pays off better than another. The earnings number tells you the whole institution's outcome, and it is low.
The bright spots are real. A 97.56% retention rate means almost everyone who starts comes back for a second year. The 68.50% graduation rate is solid. Median debt of about $24,968 stays below the national bachelor's average, so you are not leaving with a crushing loan balance. The risk is not debt size. it is whether your income will ever justify the cost you paid.
The net price tiers hold a warning for lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $29,500, while families earning $30,000 to $48,000 pay closer to $34,700. Aid does not scale down much as income drops, so the sticker shock lands hardest on those least able to absorb it.
This school fits you if music is the career you are committed to regardless of pay, and you can fund it without stretching. If you need your degree to produce a middle-class income within a decade, the numbers here do not support that outcome, and you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland Institute of Music worth the cost for a music degree?
Cleveland Institute of Music graduates earn a median of $32,641 ten years after graduation, which barely covers the annual net price of $32,623. The financial return is poor compared to most college investments, though the school does provide specialized training for serious musicians.
What is the job market like for Cleveland Institute of Music graduates?
Music graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music face challenging job prospects with low median earnings of around $18,500 in their field. The 68.5% graduation rate suggests some students struggle to complete the program, which can worsen financial outcomes.
How much debt do Cleveland Institute of Music students typically graduate with?
Students graduate with a median debt of $24,968, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, given the low earning potential in music careers, even this moderate debt load can be difficult to repay.
Does Cleveland Institute of Music offer good financial aid?
The net price of $32,623 suggests limited financial aid effectiveness for most families. Students should carefully consider whether they can afford this cost given the realistic earning expectations in music careers.