Berklee School of Music vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with Columbia College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Berklee College of Music is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 5,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berklee College of Music 9:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Berklee School of Music vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berklee School of Music or Columbia College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Berklee School of Music ($21,530 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 52.1% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($9,552 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 101.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $26,214 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Columbia College (about $26,214 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Berklee College of Music (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berklee College of Music students is 47% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($23,346 vs. $15,882).

Berklee School of Music vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berklee School of Music or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Berklee School of Music.

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berklee School of Music - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.

Berklee School of Music vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berklee School of Music and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Berklee College of Music's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Berklee School of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $3,216 lower median loan debt than Berklee School of Music graduates ($22,034 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berklee School of Music graduates ($227 vs. $261).
• More Berklee School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.