The New England Conservatory of Music vs Longy School of Music of Bard College
Nestled in the heart of Boston, The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) and Longy School of Music of Bard College, located in Cambridge, stand as two prominent institutions dedicated to nurturing musical talent. While both share a commitment to excellence in music education, they offer distinct experiences for aspiring musicians. NEC boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while Longy embraces a more inclusive approach with a higher acceptance rate. In terms of student demographics, NEC attracts a diverse body of students from around the globe, while Longy fosters a close-knit community with a smaller student population. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal music school for your unique aspirations.
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![]() Longy School of Music of Bard College |
![]() The New England Conservatory of Music |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Boston, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 22.0% | 91.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.2% | 43.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$125
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 102 | 952 |
Total number of admissions given out | 91 | 412 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 11 | 90 |
Yield rate | 12.1% | 21.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $64,300 | $75,230 |
Average net price | $37,540 | $38,409 |
Tuition | $47,700 | $52,730 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$12,380
Meal plan:
$5,680
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,730 |
96.0%
Average amount $23,478 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $5,500 |
37.0%
Average amount $5,014 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
39
Men 43.6% Women 56.4% |
423
Men 55.1% Women 44.9% |
Graduate students |
238
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
404
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 51.3% | 39.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 256 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | N/A | 82.6% |
Dropout rate | N/A | 10.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Music (Master's Degrees)
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Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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