Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA with San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Oaks College is larger than San Francisco Conservatory of Music based on total student enrollment (1,068 students vs. 439 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Oaks College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); San Francisco Conservatory of Music is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Oaks College 11:1; San Francisco Conservatory of Music 5:1.

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific Oaks College or San Francisco Conservatory of Music? 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 Pacific Oaks College are 16.3% lower than at San Francisco Conservatory of Music ($19,185 vs. $22,930).
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music is 72.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific Oaks College (about $23,630 more per year; $56,150.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than at Pacific Oaks College (about $23,630 more per year; $56,150.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than at Pacific Oaks College (100% vs. 0%).

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Oaks College or San Francisco Conservatory 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 San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Pacific Oaks College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific Oaks College - Test optional; San Francisco Conservatory of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Dec 7, 2026.
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College vs. 27.2% at San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Oaks College and San Francisco Conservatory 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).

• Graduates from Pacific Oaks College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have a $5,283 lower median loan debt than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($20,967 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($216 vs. $271).
• More San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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.