At $43,291/yr net price, Longy School of Music of Bard College graduates earn $46,543/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,543/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $43,291 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $173,164 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,543/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,543/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,254 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $43,291/yr |
The Risk Factor
44.4% of students at Longy School of Music of Bard College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Longy School of Music of Bard College charges a net price near the median earnings its graduates report ten years out, and that gap defines the financial problem here. You pay roughly $43,000 a year to attend a school whose typical graduate earns about $46,500. Four years of that net price runs well past what a single year of post-graduation income covers, and the earnings figure is a plateau, not a starting point that climbs steeply.
The data lists no bachelor-level program earnings, so there is no way to point you toward a specific undergraduate major that pays off. This is a conservatory focused on music performance and related fields, and music careers rarely produce the salaries that would make this price math work. If your goal is a stable middle-class income, the numbers do not support attending here on the expectation of a financial return.
The specific risk is the flat net price across income. The only tier reported, families earning $30,000 to $48,000, still pays the full $43,291. That means a lower-income family here shoulders the same cost as a wealthier one, with no discount visible in the data to soften it. A 44% graduation rate compounds the risk: fewer than half of you finish, and leaving without the degree still leaves you with debt.
Median debt of about $24,000 is moderate on its own, but paired with music-level earnings, repayment will be slow. This school is a reasonable financial fit only if you can pay the net price without heavy borrowing, or if music is a goal you are willing to fund without expecting the income to justify it. If you need your degree to pay for itself, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Longy School of Music of Bard College worth the cost?
With a net price of $43,291 and median earnings of $46,543 ten years after graduation, Longy provides a poor return on investment. The low 44% graduation rate adds significant risk to an already challenging financial picture.
What is the average debt for Longy School of Music of Bard College graduates?
Graduates carry a median debt of $24,254, which is relatively manageable compared to the high tuition costs. However, the low post-graduation earnings of $46,543 make repayment challenging even with this moderate debt load.
Do Longy School of Music of Bard College graduates get good jobs after graduation?
Graduate earnings average $46,543 ten years out, which is low considering the high cost of attendance. The music industry's limited high-paying opportunities make financial success difficult for most graduates regardless of program quality.
What is the graduation rate at Longy School of Music of Bard College?
Only 44% of students graduate, meaning more than half drop out without completing their degree. This high dropout rate represents a major financial risk, as students may accumulate debt without gaining the credential needed for career advancement.