Manhattan School of Music vs NorthWestern
Manhattan School of Music and Northwestern University, two esteemed institutions with distinct academic strengths and student experiences, offer prospective students a wealth of opportunities. Manhattan School of Music, a conservatory dedicated to music education, boasts an acceptance rate of 33%, while Northwestern University, a renowned research university, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 9%. Both schools attract a diverse student body, with international students comprising 30% of Manhattan School of Music's population and 14% of Northwestern University's. While Manhattan School of Music focuses primarily on music-related programs, Northwestern University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees across various disciplines, including music, engineering, and liberal arts. With graduation rates of 85% and 91% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students receive the necessary support to succeed academically. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences
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![]() Manhattan School of Music |
![]() Northwestern University |
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Overview |
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Location | New York, New York | Evanston, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 99.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 49.0% | 7.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$125
Graduate:
$125
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | N/A | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | N/A | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,035 | 47,636 |
Total number of admissions given out | 507 | 3,321 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 121 | 2,086 |
Yield rate | 23.9% | 62.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $72,780 | $83,838 |
Average net price | $42,578 | $29,999 |
Tuition | $49,850 | $60,276 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,790
Meal plan:
$5,550
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Room/dormitory:
$11,271
Meal plan:
$6,993
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
81.0%
Average amount $23,606 |
57.0%
Average amount $51,087 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
69.0%
Average amount $52,419 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,625 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $27,139 |
2.0%
Average amount $38,595 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
500
Men 50.8% Women 49.2% |
8,847
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
Graduate students |
547
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
14,562
Men 47.3% Women 52.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 75.0% | N/A |
International students | 48.5% | 17.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 536 | 4,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Pennsylvania Florida New Jersey | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.3% | 95.2% |
Dropout rate | 12.5% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | 14.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
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Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (First Professional Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
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