Berklee School of Music vs. Cambridge College

Comparable Facts

Compare Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with Cambridge College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Berklee College of Music is larger than Cambridge College based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 1,835 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berklee College of Music is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Cambridge College is in Boston, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cambridge College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berklee College of Music 9:1; Cambridge College 12:1.

Berklee School of Music vs. Cambridge College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berklee School of Music or Cambridge College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cambridge College than Berklee School of Music ($31,072 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cambridge College are 39.8% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($12,000 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 183.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cambridge College (about $33,662 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183.2% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Cambridge College (about $33,662 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berklee College of Music than at Cambridge College (77% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berklee College of Music students is 678.2% larger than aid received by Cambridge College students ($23,346 vs. $3,000).

Berklee School of Music vs. Cambridge College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berklee School of Music or Cambridge College? 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 Cambridge College and Berklee School of Music.

• Cambridge College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berklee School of Music - Test-free; Cambridge College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.

Berklee School of Music vs. Cambridge College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berklee School of Music and Cambridge College? 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).

• Berklee College of Music's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Cambridge College's (8%).
• Graduates from Cambridge College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Berklee School of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have a $4,625 lower median loan debt than Berklee School of Music graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Berklee School of Music graduates ($213 vs. $261).
• More Berklee School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cambridge College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 41%)

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.