Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Berklee College of Music Worth It?
At a value score of 11/100, Berklee College of Music is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $33,647 — 37% below average — while paying $49,465/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 74% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Berklee College of Music has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Berklee College of Music compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 5 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus | 29 | $7,051 | $26,223 |
| #2 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon | 27 | $9,284 | $29,936 |
| #3 | Unity Environmental University | 22 | $19,104 | $37,852 |
| #4 | Berklee College of Music | 11 | $49,465 | $33,647 |
| #5 | Bryant & Stratton College-Online | 11 | $15,187 | $32,568 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Berklee College of Music's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Berklee College of Music
The highest-earning program at Berklee College of Music is Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at $30,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Visual and Performing Arts, Other at $16,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management graduate from Berklee College of Music earns $30,100, while a Visual and Performing Arts, Other graduate earns $16,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management graduates carry $22,750 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Visual and Performing Arts, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $49,465/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $30,100 | $30,100 | $22,750 |
| Music | $20,100 | $20,100 | $25,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $16,500 | $16,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Student Body
- 7,468 students
- Admission Rate
- 44%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $49,465
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $33,647
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000