Berklee College of Music's published cost of attendance is $72,700. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $42,734, middle-income families pay around $47,799, and higher-income families pay approximately $54,676.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $72,700 |
| Tuition and Fees | $52,040 |
| Room and Board | $19,930 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,085 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$23,235 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $49,465 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $42,734 |
| $30–48k | $37,987 |
| $48–75k | $47,799 |
| $75–110k | $46,801 |
| $110k+ | $54,676 |
Berklee College of Music's published cost of attendance is $72,700. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $42,734, middle-income families pay around $47,799, and higher-income families pay approximately $54,676. Azimuth ranks Berklee College of Music #1418 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and merit considerations. Berklee's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based components, with need-based aid available through the FAFSA and merit scholarships awarded to admitted students. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. Families should review Berklee's financial aid page for current aid policies and application requirements, as merit aid availability and amounts can shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $87,996; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $41,028, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Berklee College of Music earn median 4-year earnings of $41,028, placing Berklee College of Music in the 1.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $38,127 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Berklee College of Music in the 1.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Berklee College of Music #1460 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's concentrated focus on Visual & Performing Arts, where early-career earnings trajectories depend heavily on individual artistic development, industry networking, and career pathway choices. The earnings pattern centers on performance and composition fields. Music is the largest program with 656 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,617, performing at 0.9× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field. The Computer Software program graduates 379 students earning $40,186, and Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other program graduates 174 students earning $48,069. Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft round out the top programs with 167 and 66 graduates respectively. As a specialized conservatory, Berklee's earnings outcomes reflect the realities of creative careers — outcomes vary substantially by specialization, geographic market, and the speed at which graduates establish professional networks and performance opportunities in Boston's and beyond music industry ecosystem.
