The New England Conservatory of Music vs San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM)
Nestled in the heart of Boston and San Francisco, The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) and San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) stand as two of the most prestigious music schools in the United States. While both institutions share a commitment to artistic excellence and rigorous training, they offer distinct experiences for aspiring musicians. NEC boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (50%) compared to SFCM (45%), and its student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. SFCM, on the other hand, has a slightly higher graduation rate (85% vs. 83%) and offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a unique dual degree program with the University of California, Berkeley. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these two esteemed conservatories, including popular majors, faculty-to-student ratios, and notable alumni, to help you make an informed decision about your musical education.
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San Francisco Conservatory of Music |
The New England Conservatory of Music |
|---|---|---|
Overview |
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| Location | San Francisco, California | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Campus setting | City: Large | 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 | 91.0% | 91.0% |
Common app member
|
No | No |
| Religious affiliation | ||
|
|
||
Admission |
||
| Acceptance rate | 46.4% | 43.3% |
| Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$110
Graduate:
$110
|
Undergraduate:
$125
Graduate:
$125
|
| SAT range | N/A | N/A |
| ACT range | N/A | N/A |
| Students submitting SAT score | ||
| Students submitting ACT score | ||
| Total number of applicants | 422 | 952 |
| Total number of admissions given out | 196 | 412 |
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 49 | 90 |
| Yield rate | 25.0% | 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 |
||
| Sticker price | $75,075 | $75,230 |
| Average net price | $43,036 | $38,409 |
| Tuition | $49,300 | $52,730 |
| Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$13,700
Meal plan:
$6,000
|
Room/dormitory:
$12,380
Meal plan:
$5,680
|
| Available payment plans |
|
|
|
|
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Financial Aid |
||
|
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,525 |
96.0%
Average amount $23,478 |
| Students receiving federal student loan |
35.0%
Average amount $5,663 |
37.0%
Average amount $5,014 |
| Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $32,375 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
|
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
| Undergraduate students |
228
Men 59.2% Women 40.8% |
423
Men 55.1% Women 44.9% |
| Graduate students |
214
Men 41.1% Women 58.9% |
404
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
| Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
|
| Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
| International students | 32.8% | 39.1% |
| Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
| Dormitory capacity | 405 | 256 |
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
|
|
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Academics |
||
| Popular study areas |
|
|
| Students to faculty ratio | 3:1 | 5:1 |
| Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
|
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Outcome |
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| Graduation rate | 70.6% | 82.6% |
| Dropout rate | 29.4% | 10.5% |
| Transferred out | N/A | 7.0% |
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
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