The New England Conservatory of Music vs Manhattan School of Music

The New England Conservatory of Music and Manhattan School of Music are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Manhattan School of Music is more selective with a 39.9% acceptance rate compared to The New England Conservatory of Music's 42.8%.

Cost: The New England Conservatory of Music offers a lower average net price at $42,556, which is $5,043 less than Manhattan School of Music ($47,599). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from The New England Conservatory of Music earn a median salary of $34,483 ten years after enrollment, which is $7,605 more than Manhattan School of Music graduates ($26,878).

Graduation: The New England Conservatory of Music leads with a 79.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 93.6% vs 92.7%.

Campus Size: Manhattan School of Music is the larger campus with 535 total students, while The New England Conservatory of Music has 371.

Bottom Line: The New England Conservatory of Music stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.