Berklee School of Music vs. CUNY Graduate Center

Comparable Facts

Compare Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with CUNY Graduate School and University Center in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Graduate School and University Center is larger than Berklee School of Music based on total student enrollment (9,536 students vs. 8,369 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); CUNY Graduate School and University Center is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Graduate School and University Center is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berklee College of Music 9:1; CUNY Graduate School and University Center 13:1.

Berklee School of Music vs. CUNY Graduate Center Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berklee College of Music are 10.5% lower than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($19,930 vs. $22,260).
• Berklee College of Music is 619.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUNY Graduate Center (about $44,805 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $7,235.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 242.7% higher at Berklee School of Music than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center (about $36,855 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $15,185.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berklee College of Music than at CUNY Graduate School and University Center (77% vs. 0%).

Berklee School of Music vs. CUNY Graduate Center Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berklee School of Music or CUNY Graduate Center? 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 CUNY Graduate Center and Berklee School of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berklee School of Music - Test-free; CUNY Graduate Center - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.
• CUNY Graduate Center has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than Berklee School of Music (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Berklee School of Music vs. 12% at CUNY Graduate Center.

Berklee School of Music vs. CUNY Graduate Center Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berklee School of Music and CUNY Graduate Center? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Graduate School and University Center graduates have a $15,910 lower median loan debt than Berklee School of Music graduates ($9,340 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, CUNY Graduate Center graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berklee School of Music graduates ($96 vs. $261).
• More Berklee School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUNY Graduate Center students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 52%)

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.