Berklee School of Music vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

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

Berklee College of Music is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berklee College of Music 9:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Berklee School of Music vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berklee School of Music or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University than Berklee School of Music ($32,587 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lesley University are 0.1% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($19,920 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $17,784 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.9% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Lesley University (about $17,784 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Berklee College of Music (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berklee College of Music students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($23,346 vs. $19,167).

Berklee School of Music vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berklee School of Music or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University and Berklee School of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berklee School of Music - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Berklee School of Music (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Berklee School of Music vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Berklee School of Music vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berklee School of Music and Lesley University? 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Lesley University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Berklee School of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $930 lower median loan debt than Berklee School of Music graduates ($24,320 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berklee School of Music graduates ($251 vs. $261).
• More Berklee School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.