Marian vs. Berklee School of Music

Comparable Facts

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

Berklee College of Music is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 3,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marian University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Berklee College of Music is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marian University 13:1; Berklee College of Music 9:1.

Marian vs. Berklee School of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marian or Berklee School of Music? 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 Marian University than Berklee School of Music ($22,786 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 30.5% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($13,850 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marian (about $11,376 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $40,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Marian University (about $11,376 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $40,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marian University than at Berklee College of Music (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Berklee College of Music students ($32,351 vs. $23,346).

Marian vs. Berklee School of Music Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marian - Test-free; Berklee School of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027; Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Berklee School of Music (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Marian vs. 45.5% at Berklee School of Music.

Marian vs. Berklee School of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marian and Berklee School of Music? 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Berklee College of Music's (52%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Berklee School of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berklee College of Music graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($25,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Berklee School of Music graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Berklee School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.