FIDM LA vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is larger than San Francisco Conservatory of Music based on total student enrollment (564 students vs. 439 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco Conservatory of Music is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; San Francisco Conservatory of Music 5:1.

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA or San Francisco Conservatory of Music? 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 FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising than San Francisco Conservatory of Music ($39,494 vs. $43,746).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising are 3.7% lower than at San Francisco Conservatory of Music ($22,086 vs. $22,930).
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music is 60.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIDM LA (about $21,150 more per year; $56,150.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (about $21,150 more per year; $56,150.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco Conservatory of Music students is 160.6% larger than aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students ($36,052 vs. $13,834).

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA or San Francisco Conservatory of Music? 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 San Francisco Conservatory of Music and FIDM LA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Francisco Conservatory of Music - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Dec 7, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco Conservatory of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA and San Francisco Conservatory of Music? 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than San Francisco Conservatory of Music's (73%).
• Graduates from FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $13,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($13,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($134 vs. $271).
• More San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.