Campus Vibe
Among the most selective in the Northeast — close-knit campus
Curtis Institute of Music is a private urban institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Admission is competitive.
A small campus of 106 undergraduates with a 2:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
95% of students graduate within four years.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Curtis Institute of Music Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
100.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
0
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (4)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
97%
- •97% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania chartered the Curtis Institute on April 18, 1924, which opened October 1925 in three mansions at 1727 and 1720 Locust Street and 235 South 18th Street.
- •Both the Curtis Institute and the Settlement Music School shared a building at Queen Street in South Philadelphia for the first year.
- •Bok established the institute to train talented musicians for professional careers and to teach music for its own sake and not as a means to another end.
- •Tuition was five hundred dollars, and the school opened with 357 students.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average