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CollegeGrad School

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • San Francisco, CA
  • 77 reviews
    Apply NowVisit Campus
    B+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      B+
    2. Value
      B-
    3. Diversity
      A+
    4. Campus
      A-
    5. Athletics
      NG
    6. Party Scene
      NG
    7. Professors
      B
    8. Location
      A+
    9. Dorms
      B
    10. Campus Food
      B+
    11. Student Life
      A+
    12. Safety
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    About San Francisco Conservatory of Music...
    Athletic Division
    —
    Athletic Conference
    —
    Address
    50 Oak Street
    San Francisco, CA 94102
    Website
    sfcm.edu
    From San Francisco Conservatory of Music

    By inspiring your imagination, cultivating the artist within, honing your intellect, and developing your professionalism, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) prepares you for success in any career path you choose. Learn from the 30 members of the San Francisco Symphony on faculty, as well as Metropolitan Opera stars and Grammy-winning jazz artists, all while taking advantage of collaborations between departments and with your teachers. As a proving ground for experimentation and an incubator for ideas, SFCM's approach to music education aligns with San Francisco's identity of embracing history and advancing California and the world. SFCM's recent alumni perform in some of the most renowned orchestras in North America and work at highly visible companies and organizations in Silicon Valley and beyond.

    San Francisco Conservatory of Music Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Application Deadline
    December 1
    Acceptance Rate
    44%
    SAT Range
    —
    ACT Range
    —
    Application Fee
    $110
    SAT/ACT
    Recommended
    High School GPA
    Required
    Accepts Common App
    No

    Cost

    Net Price
    $37,873/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $25,187/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    98%

    Academics

    Professors
    B
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    7:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    --
    We don't have enough responses to know if students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.Take our survey
    63%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.8 responses
    38%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.8 responses

    More opinions are needed!
    Write a review to add yours.Review San Francisco Conservatory of Music

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Musical Instruments
      50 Graduates
    • Voice and Opera
      10 Graduates
    • Music Technology
      6 Graduates
    • Conducting
      1 Graduate
    • Music Theory and Composition
      1 Graduate

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    204Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    1
    Undergrads Over 25
    9%
    Pell Grant
    24%
    Varsity Athletes
    —
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 8 responses
    Report
    • Music lovers
      63%
    • Diverse
      25%
    • Stressed
      13%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    0%
    Poll
    89%
    of students say they don't have Greek life.9 responses
    Poll
    90%
    of students say no one pays attention to varsity sports.10 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 9 responses
    Report
    • Music
      67%
    • Motivating
      22%
    • Fast-paced
      11%

      After College

      Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
      $19,700/ year
      National
      $33,028
      Graduation Rate
      63%
      National
      49%
      Employed 2 Years After Graduation
      88%
      National
      83%

      More opinions are needed to display this poll.  Take our survey

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      San Francisco Conservatory of Music Reviews

      77 reviews
      All Categories
      SFCM has undergone some amazing transformations in faculty, facilities, and access to local arts institutions which is quickly establishing this conservatory as one of the top student destinations in the country. SFCM is located in one of the greatest cities in the world, gives students access to the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony, as well as the SF Opera, SF Ballet, and SF Jazz. I love the community found within the walls of the Conservatory. The students are very friendly and supportive and the administration really cares about its students. In addition to performing, there are tons of opportunities to teach or gain arts administration experience. With the expansion of the Bowes Center adding practice rooms and performance spaces beginning fall 2020, SFCM is giving its students and unparalleled experience.
      Start Your Review of San Francisco Conservatory of Music
      Rate It!
      Don't be misled by the fancy website, it's like an Instagram star, all photoshop and the right angles. The 6-yr income of $25k for grads is real. Tuition is $45k/year and goes up by 2%/year. If you start today as a 1st yr your BM will cost $185,472 and with that debt you'll owe $193,818.62 1 year later at a 4.5% interest rate which becomes $275,629.57 at year ten. If you can only pay $300 a month on an Income Based Repayment plan, it's impossible to pay off your debt–bankruptcy can't even resolve it.

      The school forces you to live on campus to fill their beds for part of the time because otherwise they will lose money on their dorms. The rent for the tiny micro studio apartment is higher than what you could find in the city on your own and the neighborhood is one of the unsafest. Don't get me wrong, the faculty are great. The conservatory works hard to blind you into coming though less than 70% of students ever finishing.
      The Conservatory is the perfect place to hone in on your craft! There are so many opportunities to perform and collaborate throughout the year. You are walking distance away from SF Symphony, SF Opera, and SF Jazz!! Having the chance to work with Marcie Stapp on my diction has been eye opening! She helps you figure out the correct way to understand diction while also acknowledging that your thoughts are valid. I recommend taking ALL of her classes and buying her diction book!