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Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York 10027

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanInternational

Close-knit campus

Manhattan School of Music is a private urban institution in New York, New York. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 535 undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

78% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $26,878 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $47,599.

Established
1917
Motto
Latin: Macte virtute sic itur ad astra
Mascot
Manny the polar bear
Type
Private music conservatory

Plan Your Visit

40%Acceptance
SAT Avg
535Students
6:1Student:Faculty
78%Grad Rate
$26,878Earnings 10yr
$47,599Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate39.9%

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

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
13%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$54,600
Room & Board$17,350
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$74,277
Average Net Price$47,599
Median Debt at Graduation$26,994
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$42,437
$30–48K$55,777
$48–75K$57,477
$110K+$59,277

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

67.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$25,125

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

3

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
6:1

Programs (6)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

93%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
535
Gender Split
49% / 51%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
13%

Race & Ethnicity

White 38%
Black 5%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 7%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 36%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate78.3%
Freshman Retention92.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$18,815
10 Years$26,878

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

  • Borden Auditorium Manhattan School of Music was founded between 1917 and 1918 by the pianist and philanthropist Janet D.
  • Initially located at the Union Settlement Association on East 104th Street in Manhattan's East Harlem neighborhood, the school moved into a brownstone building at East 105th Street.
  • Pablo Casals and Harold Bauer were among the first of many distinguished artists who offered guidance to the school.
  • In 1943, the artistic and academic growth of the school resulted in a charter amendment to grant the bachelor of music degree.
  • Two subsequent amendments authorized the offering in 1947 of the master of music degree and, in 1974, the degree of doctor of musical arts.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

160Very High

Estimated from NY state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
7 mi(12 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
87 mi(151 min)
Bostonpop. 675K
184 mi(319 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LGA New York LaGuardia5 mi
EWR Newark Liberty14 mi
JFK New York JFK15 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA184 mi · ~5h 19m drive
New York, NY7 mi · ~12 min drive
Hartford, CT94 mi · ~2h 43m drive
Providence, RI150 mi · ~4h 20m drive
Albany, NY128 mi · ~3h 42m drive
Syracuse, NY191 mi · ~5h 31m drive
Rochester, NY248 mi · ~7h 10m drive
Buffalo, NY291 mi · ~8h 24m drive
Philadelphia, PA87 mi · ~2h 31m drive
Pittsburgh, PA317 mi · ~9h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA158 mi · ~4h 34m drive
Newark, NJ12 mi · ~21 min drive
Trenton, NJ58 mi · ~1h 41m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Manhattan School of Music Application Checklist

Decision Notifications