About Berklee College of Music

Founded in 1945, Berklee College of Music. is a Private college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 5,972 full time undergraduate students, and 433 full time graduate students.

The Berklee College of Music Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 348 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Berklee College of Music include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate33%
Application Deadline
Application Fee150
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,35% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 13 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Berklee College of Music.

5%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
44%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
24%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
37%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
49%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
85%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
5%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
10%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
88%
“We”re a very artistic group”
12%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
44%
“They keep regular office hours”
39%
“They”re always available”
78%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
5%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
46%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
34%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
41%
“There might be people who do”
39%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
5%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
44%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
24%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
37%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
49%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
85%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
5%
“We bought the gear”
10%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
10%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
88%
“We”re a very artistic group”
12%
“Haven”t met them”
5%
“Available in class”
44%
“They keep regular office hours”
39%
“They”re always available”
78%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
5%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
46%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
34%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
15%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
41%
“There might be people who do”
39%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Berklee College of Music REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    100 Students rated on-campus housing 3.2 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    100 Students rated off-campus housing 2.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    110 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    119 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    119 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    117 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    118 Students rated local services 4.6 stars. 73 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    119 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Berklee College of Music?

53 Students rated Berklee College of Music

Haysen - 12/15/2023

I love it, I’ve been attending over the past year for my bachelors and it’s been a very calm and collected experience

Dylan - 03/28/2023

I have only been able to tour the campus and get a basic idea of what campus life is like. With that being said I have had the opportunity to speak with alumnus, current students, and teachers/directors and feel as though Berklee College of music has a multitude of experiences to offer. The faculty as well as many of the notable alumnus are all held in very high regard by students, faculty, and leaders in the music field. The biggest success that I have heard from many students is the connections and bonds that were formed as a result of being in the community and environment of Berklee. Berklee sets students up to make connections with peers that will be entering into the same field as well as providing experiences that will shape their identity and message as an artist/musician. The only downside to Berklee is the price. It has a very expensive tuition and can cause some students who cannot afford this price to take on large amounts of debt.

Hailey-Madison - 05/18/2022

A recurring thing I often tell my parents is that I HAVE/NEED to be at Berklee. Notice how I didn't say "want". I am a rising sophomore at Berklee, and yet I already know how hard this school is. I did not have the best first year due to personal issues, but I had it easier than a lot of people I know. I know people who have been kicked out or had to take a leave of absence due to their own mental health, and sometimes I wonder if I should do the same. Sometimes I wonder if I should leave it all. Very few things make me happy at Berklee, and if it were not for the people I have met and the extracurriculars I have joined, I would have dropped out my first semester. However, I know that this is the only place where I can do what I want to do. That's not necessarily a good thing -- what I want to do is very niche, so in the long run, that may not be best for me career-wise, and there are no other schools that offer a degree in what I want to do at the undergraduate level. So more often than not, I feel like I'm stuck here for the next two and a half years.

Juhran - 01/09/2022

Berklee college of music is a second chance for musicians to partake in their music careers. Although the weather can get a little rough the musical support warms the heart just right. I personally feel as though if you are not a hard worker or don't want to get challenged in by the professors or just the people around don't go.

Berklee College of Music FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Berklee College of Music?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Berklee College of Music is 33%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I could go back in time to talk to myself as a highschool senior, I would tell myself to practice time management. Thought I have improved greatly since starting college, I used to have many sleepless nights. In art school, projects take a lot more time than most assignments in highschool. I've had some pieces take me weeks to complete. I know now the importance of time management. Without practicing this not only does the work sometimes not get completed, but it also doesn't turn out the way I would like. Especially considering the price of my school, I know getting the most out of the experience and my teachers is very important. Giving my all to the work requires me to spend all of my extra time on it. This is where time management plays a key role. With this in mind I now know how to balance being healthy and doing great work. Starting this earlier would have helped my transition, but I'm glad to have these skills for the future.

    Read all  106 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Not a lot of support for persuing mastery in multiple instruments, my one big complaint!

    Read all  23 answers
  4. What kind of person should attend this school?

    someone who already knows exactly what they want to study. not a lot of room for indecision.

    Read all  22 answers
  5. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how diificult it would be to live in the urban environment.

    Read all  21 answers
  6. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    This particular school is for music professions and majors, so if one is not musically inclined or has a low interest in the field, then this school isn't for him or her. Someone with lack of effort or desire to proceed, should not attend.

    Read all  21 answers
  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Berklee is a great school for exploring all career facets of the music instury.

    Read all  20 answers
  8. Describe the students at your school.

    Most of the students from school are very helpfull and friendly.

    Read all  20 answers
  9. What's unique about your campus?

    Teachers are likely to become your friends and take you under their wing if you persue them. A lot of networking opportunities, and well organized clubs are the things that have impressed me the most and made my time at the college most enjoyable.

    Read all  18 answers
  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The only thing that I have found frustrating about my school, is that everything is still in testing mode with my major. I am a part of the online program and it is very new.

    Read all  17 answers
  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Berklee College of Music is best known for producing well trained, world renowned artists in every field of music. Students come from every corner of the world to study contemporary music and to share their own unique backgrounds and talents, so that each student is enriched with a wide range of cultures and diverse musical styles. Berklee's goal for creating successful, professional, well rounded musicians is what makes it such a prestigious and well known school.

    Read all  15 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I do not like to brag about my school for the sole reason that there is just so much to brag about. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to study something that I am so passionate about, and I cannot imagine being at any other school. I could brag about the amazingly talented people I get to meet and study with, or the famous artists that come to participate in the school's enthusiasm, but I would most likely brag about my overall confidence that I will be successful in life doing what I love.

    Read all  14 answers
  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    First and foremost, we're a school dedicated to the pursuit of knowing everything there is to know about music. This being said, we are the most welcoming school to anyone. I auditioned at many other performing arts schools and none compared to the feeling of inclusion that is overwhelming here at Berklee. I'm lucky to have such wonderful and helpful faculty, and friends in such a wonderful city.

    Read all  12 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    The professors definitely know your name, as classes are incredibly small. As aforementioned,the professors are amazing musicians, but not always the best teachers. They will cancel class for a gig (or sometimes a tour in the case of my Private Voice teacher), and will not always make up for it. My favorite class was Ensemble and Writing & Communcations. Ensemble self-explanatory, it was an ensemble. Simple! Lots of fun. However, the ensemble you're in it will depend on your ratings. W&C was a general English class. I've always been great at English, so it was just a fun class to me. My least favorite class was Artistry, Creativity & Inquiry. Seriously, a waste of time. It's a class that all freshman are required to take. I don't know a single person who wasn't angry that they had to pay for a class that made us trundle around Boston taking pictures for homework, when we could have been practicing or working on a project. Some students study, some don't. Depends on the individual. Most students are pretty serious musicians, so would definitely dedicate a lot of time to homework/projects etc. We knew that the work was relative to us becoming better musicians, so it was certainly worth it. That could've just been my circle of friends though. I wouldn't say there's much intellectual stimulation at Berklee, as it's a music school. It kind of sucked, because I'm definitely into that kind of thing. You can definitely find it, but you certainly have to search. Students are VERY competitive. Be warned, a "jam" session, isn't really a jam session. It's really a chance for everybody to scope out how good (or bad) their peers are. Everybody is a critic. There isn't much love for one another in the Voice department. I'd actually say it's the most competitive of all. A lot of the other departments praise each other and are willing to help, share their skills etc. In the voice department, this does not happen. I didn't spend any time with professors outside of class, but they do have dedicated office hours you can go to if you need help. Berklee has borderline "no" academic requirements. I think that's a good and a bad thing. It's great for musicians who aren't academic but amazing at what they do, but I don't think it sets a great example. A student might lag through high school, knowing they can get in purely upon musical merit. Not everybody is going to be a star, and you might have to actually get a job after school. I don't think a lot of students are prepared for that. The education at this school is purely geared toward becoming a better musician. The school is great for networking. The retention rate is low, as people usually find jobs through networking before they graduate, drop out due to financial issues, or simply just don't want to come to school anymore and start gigging on the road.

    Read all  2 answers
  15. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Student dorm room doors lock automatically, so no, nobody leaves their doors open. We all get the same MacBook Pro upon entry in Freshman year anyway, so no one would steal that from you. Students are very open about who comes into their dorm room, though. The dating scene at Berklee is ok, but as there are 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} boys and 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} girls, this can be tricky! I was in a relationship at Berklee, and everybody certainly knew about it. Be prepared for that. However, it's up to you to keep personal stuff personal. If you're awake at 2am on a Tuesday, you're probably at someones apartment jamming, listening to music or working on a project due the next morning. I met my friends at Freshman mixers, peer advising group, classes, through existing friends etc. The great thing is you all have one thing in common: music! People have "kickbacks" at Berklee, which are chill nights on Friday and Saturday. People will smoke pot, drink beer, jam and just have fun. Not much of a party scene at Berklee, but kickbacks are the most popular thing. There will be the odd MIT, BU, Northeastern or Harvard party, but invites are rare. On a Saturday night you'll probably be at a kickback. I'm not a drinker, and no one will pressure you to drink if you don't want to.

    Read all  2 answers
  16. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Oh, there are definitely stoners...even some of the teachers!!! Hey, what do you expect? It's a music school. But there are good stereotypes too. It's an incredibly diverse population, not just in terms of race, religion, the usual etc's, but also style and personality. Most people get along really well, despite being constantly wired on coffee or in the middle of an organizational breakdown. It also doesn't take more than a couple of seconds to figure out who is a vocal performance major and who is doing electronic production and design.

    Read all  2 answers

Student Body

Students

37%

female

63%

male

5,972

Total Undergrad Enrollment

433

Total Grad Students

64%

Out-Of-State

8%

In-State

28%

International

Organizations

49

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

18%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
5%
% Hispanic/Latino
9%
% White or Caucasian
37%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

74% of students attending Berklee College of Music receive some sort of financial aid. 14% were awarded federal grants. While 45% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$41,398

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$474

Books and Supplies

$18,000

Room and Board

59,872

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$38,079
$30 - $48K
$36,907
$48 - $75K
$44,844
$75 - $110K
$45,437
$110K & UP
$48,633

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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