The Juilliard School: 10.6% Acceptance Rate

10.6%Acceptance

$56,550Tuition

460Students

90%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,827Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24

About The Juilliard School

Juilliard trains the world's top performers in music, dance, and drama. The conservatory enrolls just 460 students in the heart of Manhattan, creating an intensely focused artistic community. Alumni include cellist Yo-Yo Ma and actor Robin Williams. Only 10.61% of applicants gain admission to this legendary institution. Students work directly with faculty in a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio that enables personalized instruction. The school's reputation opens doors to the most strong stages and studios worldwide.

The sticker price reaches $78,690 annually, but most students pay far less. The average net price drops to $37,903 after aid. Low-income families pay only $19,135 on average. However, graduates face financial reality checks. Median earnings hit just $37,827 ten years after graduation. Students typically graduate with $25,500 in debt and monthly loan payments of $270. The 69.50% loan repayment rate suggests many struggle financially despite their artistic training.

The school maintains a 97.20% retention rate, reflecting students' commitment to their craft. Nearly 90% graduate within four years. The employment rate reaches 91.5%, though many work in lower-paying artistic fields. Gender balance stays nearly even at 52% men and 48% women. Only 9.60% of students come from New York state, drawing talent globally to this Manhattan conservatory.

Academics & Faculty

Juilliard is america's top performing arts conservatory, training tomorrow's top musicians, dancers, and actors. The school maintains an intensely selective 10.61% acceptance rate, admitting only the most talented artists worldwide. Students work closely with strong faculty in a 4:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personalized instruction and mentorship. The conservatory's three divisions, music, dance, and drama, have produced legends like Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Robin Williams. With a 90% six-year graduation rate and 97.20% retention rate, students rarely leave this artistic pressure cooker. The rigorous training prepares graduates for professional careers, though median earnings of $37,827 reflect the financial realities of pursuing art.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 4:1
Full-Time Faculty: 30.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 89.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 90.0%
Retention Rate: 97.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,827

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Dance.	Certificate	$33,993
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.	Certificate	$25,194
Music.	Master	$24,532

View all 13 programs →

Campus Life

Students practice their craft eight to ten hours daily at this Manhattan conservatory. With just 460 students total, everyone knows each other's work intimately. The 4:1 student-faculty ratio means your professor will know if you skipped practice. Only 75% of students can live in the residence hall at 348 capacity, so upperclassmen often find apartments in the neighborhood.

Lincoln Center becomes your second home. You'll grab coffee between the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic buildings, where many faculty members perform professionally. Winter coats are essential from December through March in this concrete jungle. Students spend weekends attending Broadway shows, visiting museums, or performing in the city's endless venues. The 97% retention rate reflects how seriously students commit to their craft here. Many survive on the median $270 monthly loan payment after graduation while building careers that average $37,827 ten years out. Practice rooms stay busy until midnight as students prepare for master classes with visiting artists from around the world.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 348 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	0	2

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 26°–38°F
July Avg: 68°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.9"
Annual Snowfall: 25.8"

Student Demographics

Juilliard draws talent from across the globe, with over 90% of students coming from outside New York. The school attracts roughly equal numbers of men and women, reflecting balanced representation across music, dance, and drama programs. White students make up about 30% of the student body, while Asian, Hispanic, and Black students represent significant portions of the community. Only 13% receive Pell Grants, indicating many students come from families able to invest heavily in pre-college arts training. This creates an intensely competitive environment where students arrive already possessing extraordinary technical skills.

Men: 52.0%
Women: 48.0%
White: 30.4%
Black: 7.6%
Hispanic: 10.4%
Asian: 12.6%
In-State Students: 9.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 13.3%

Location

Juilliard sits in Manhattan's Lincoln Center district, surrounded by strong performance venues including the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic. The school occupies prime real estate in one of the world's cultural capitals. Students live and study in the heart of New York City, with Broadway theaters, Carnegie Hall, and countless music venues within walking distance. Only 9.6% of students come from New York state, drawing talent from across the globe to this urban campus. The Lincoln Center area pulses with artistic energy year-round, offering unmatched networking and performance opportunities. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Juilliard with similar schools in the region.

Address: New York, New York 10023-6588

The Juilliard School photo Don Ramey Logan

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,827
Median Earnings (5 years): $26,699
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 69.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $270/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at The Juilliard School?

The Juilliard School accepts just 10.61% of applicants, making it one of the most selective performing arts programs in the world. This top conservatory trains future stars across music, dance, and drama divisions through rigorous auditions and artistic evaluations.

How much does The Juilliard School cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Juilliard is $37,903, lower than the $78,690 total cost of attendance. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of just $19,135, though only 13.31% receive federal Pell Grants.

What is the student-faculty ratio at The Juilliard School?

Juilliard maintains an exceptional 4:1 student-faculty ratio with just 460 total students. This intimate setting allows for intensive one-on-one instruction and masterclasses with world-well-known faculty who are often active performers themselves.

What do graduates of The Juilliard School typically earn?

Juilliard graduates earn a median of $37,827 ten years after graduation, reflecting the varied nature of performing arts careers. The 91.5% employment rate shows strong career outcomes, though earnings in creative fields often fluctuate based on projects and seasons.

Does The Juilliard School provide campus housing?

Juilliard houses 348 students in its residence hall, covering about 76% of its 460 enrollment. The Lincoln Center campus puts students at the heart of New York's cultural scene, with easy access to Broadway theaters, concert halls, and performance opportunities.

How selective are the different programs at The Juilliard School?

With a 97.20% retention rate, nearly every student who enters Juilliard stays to complete their training. The school's three divisions in music, dance, and drama each maintain their own audition standards, producing alumni like Yo-Yo Ma, Robin Williams, and Wynton Marsalis.