Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Manhattan School of Music worth it?
Pay $51,754/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $26,878 ten years out — about 0.5× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Manhattan School of Music vs New York avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical New York college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Manhattan School of Music | New York avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $51,754 | $20,287 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $26,878 | $56,137 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $26,994 | $18,844 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 78.3% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 40.8% | 66.5% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $310,812 over four years. Most students get $25,949/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $26,994 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 100% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're above the recommended ceiling — borrow carefully.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Manhattan School of Music grad earns about -$724,880 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Manhattan School of Music
The average student at Manhattan School of Music pays $51,754 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $77,703 published sticker price. That is above the NY average net price of $20,287.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $26,878 — below the NY median of $56,137. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as a standard return.
Typical graduates borrow about $26,994, roughly $293 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a heavy load at about 100% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper New York colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Manhattan School of Music.
New York, NY · Public CUNY Bernard M Baruch College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Manhattan School of Music?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $51,754 per year. That's $25,949/yr in financial aid against the $77,703 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $207,016.
How much do Manhattan School of Music graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Manhattan School of Music graduates earn a median of $26,878 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 0.5× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Manhattan School of Music graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $26,994 — about $293/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 33.2% of students take federal loans.
Is Manhattan School of Music worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Manhattan School of Music a value grade of D — top 100% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $51,754/yr, earn $26,878/yr ten years out, ROI score of 1.30. Standard Return.
What financial aid is available at Manhattan School of Music?
12% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 33.2% take federal student loans. On average, students get $25,949 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Manhattan School of Music?
In-state tuition is $57,050 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $57,050 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Manhattan School of Music?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $31,392. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $56,540. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →