What you need to know about the cost of an education at Manhattan School of Music.
The charts below list direct, billable costs for certain subsets of students as well as average potential expenses for most Manhattan School of Music (MSM) students.
These costs are for the Academic Year (nine months from September to May). MSM does not offer a summer semester. When reviewing and making financial choices, please take an in-depth look at your own personal situation to determine expenses you might incur in addition to the direct, billable charges you will have from MSM.
Please visit our Scholarships & Financial Aid pages to learn about ways your education can be funded.
Questions?
Financial Aid
finaid@v-lanterna.com
917-493-4809
Student Accounts
bursar@v-lanterna.com
917-493-4467 and 917-493-4464
Fax: 212-865-1128
Admissions
admission@v-lanterna.com
917-493-4436
Direct (billable) Costs if Living on Campus
2024-2025 on Campus (9 Months)
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| Tuition | $55,750 |
| General Student Fees | $1,300 |
| Meal Plan (Gold) | $6,250 |
| Housing (Double Room) | $11,800 |
| MSM Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) | $3,700* |
| Total | $78,800 (estimate) |
*Exact 2024-2025 MSM Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) rates are pending.
Direct (Billable) Costs if Living Off Campus
2024-2025 Off Campus (9 Months)
| Tuition | $55,750 |
| General Student Fees | $1,300 |
| Meal Plan (commuter) | $690 |
| MSM Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) | $3,700* |
| Total | $61,440 (estimate) |
* Exact 2024-2025 MSM Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) rates are pending.
Potential Additional Estimated Educational Expenses (9 Months)
| Technology, Books, and Supplies *Includes a cost estimate for the purchase of a personal computer. |
$1,500 |
| Transportation | $1,600 |
| Miscellaneous | $3,000 |
| Total | $6,100 |
General Student Fee
This fee is split between the Fall and Spring semesters.
Meal Plan
MSM meal plans are declining balance meal plans. The prepaid amount is applied to the student’s ID card at the beginning of each semester. Each purchase reduces the balance on the student’s card. For example, if a student chooses eggs and orange juice for breakfast and it costs $6.00, then $6.00 is deducted from the student’s balance. For more information about MSM meal plans, see the list below or contact Residence Life at residencelife@v-lanterna.com.
The following are four meal plan options for the 2024-2025 Academic Year (9 months):
- Commuter: $690 (This plan is required of all students who live off campus; it is not available for students who live on campus.)
- Bronze: $3,500
- Silver: $4,730
- Gold: $6,250
Changes to the meal plan can be made for the upcoming semester until the first day of that semester by contacting Residence Life at residencelife@v-lanterna.com. Additional funds can be added at any time to a student’s meal plan by visiting Room A-442 in Anderson Hall.
Housing
The above housing cost is based on a standard double room that most on-campus students are assigned. On a limited basis there are a few other options (with cost differences). Freshman and sophomore undergraduate students are required to live on campus in most cases. For more information about housing, please visit housing and residential life.
Health Insurance
ALL full-time Manhattan School of Music students are required to have health insurance that meets the minimum essential coverage requirements set by the U.S. Affordable Care Act. ALL full-time Manhattan School of Music students will be pre-enrolled in the plan and charged via their student bill. The MSM policy is MANDATORY for all F-1 visa holders entering a new program in 2024-2025. International health insurance plans are no longer accepted. Domestic students will be allowed to submit an online waiver request application through the UnitedHealth Care Student Resources student insurance portal and may be granted a waiver of the school-sponsored plan under certain conditions. Paper waiver requests are no longer accepted. Waiver applications submitted after 08/15/24 will incur a $100 late fee that will be added to your student account bill.
The MSM-sponsored student health insurance plan will cover the student for one full academic year, 08/20/24-08/19/25. Enrollment is for the full year and cannot be changed. If a student takes a leave of absence, withdraws, or changes to part-time status prior to the academic year end, their coverage under the plan will continue through the end of the enrollment period and NO REFUNDS will be issued. Part-time, Exchange, and DMA students in their third year and beyond are not required to submit health insurance information or enroll in the MSM-sponsored plan. The cost for the MSM-sponsored student health insurance plan for the 2024-2025 school year is estimated to be $3,700. For more information about the MSM student health insurance plan (SHIP) health insurance requirements or for details of waiver eligibility, please visit MSM Student Engagement website pages.
New York City Cost of Living
New York City’s visual and performing arts scene is unprecedented and MSM’s location allows students easy access to all that New York City has to offer. Having access to so many amenities can lead to a higher cost of living than in other cities. While it is possible to live in New York City economically, please be aware of potentially higher costs When planning and budgeting for the year, be sure to take into consideration potentially higher costs.
Net Price Calculator
Please use the Net Price Calculator provided by the US Department of Education, tailored to Manhattan School of Music, to give you a basic idea of the amount of aid you may receive.
New York State Projected Cost of Attendance
| 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,048 | $50,840 |
| Room and Board | $16,369 | $16,340 |
| Technology, Books, and Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Transportation | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Health Insurance | *** | *** |
| Total | $72,017 | $72,780 |
Graduation Rate: 72.1%
Median Borrowing Rate: $49,000
Loan Default Rate: 1.8%
National Average Loan Default Rate: 13.7%
