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Curtis Institute of Music

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanInternational

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.

Established
1924
Type
Private conservatory

Campus Visits

19 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 8 · Campus Visit

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7%Acceptance
SAT Avg
106Students
2:1Student:Faculty
95%Grad Rate
Earnings 10yr

Admissions

Acceptance Rate7.0%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$6,000
Room & Board$20,653
Books & Supplies$4,530

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

19.4%/yr

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

0

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

0

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

0

Drug Arrests

0

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%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
106
Gender Split
43% / 57%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
1%

Race & Ethnicity

White 28%
Black 3%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 11%
Two+ 8%
Int'l 44%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate94.7%
Freshman Retention97.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$31,201

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

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

112High

Estimated from PA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
0 mi(0 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
81 mi(140 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
257 mi(445 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

PHL Philadelphia PHL6 mi
TTN Trenton-Mercer29 mi
ACY Atlantic City46 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA271 mi · ~7h 50m drive
New York, NY81 mi · ~2h 20m drive
Hartford, CT181 mi · ~5h 14m drive
Providence, RI235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Albany, NY201 mi · ~5h 48m drive
Syracuse, NY220 mi · ~6h 21m drive
Rochester, NY255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY279 mi · ~8h 4m drive
Philadelphia, PA0 mi · ~0 min drive
Pittsburgh, PA257 mi · ~7h 25m drive
Harrisburg, PA93 mi · ~2h 41m drive
Newark, NJ76 mi · ~2h 12m drive
Trenton, NJ29 mi · ~50 min drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Curtis Institute of Music Application Checklist

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