Eastman School of Music

The Eastman School of Music is a professional music school within the University of Rochester, founded in 1921 by George Eastman (founder of Kodak). Located in Rochester, New York, Eastman offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and PhD programs across performance, composition, music education, jazz studies, musicology, and conducting. The acceptance rate is approximately 43 percent, making it selective but more accessible than Curtis or Juilliard. Nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships, with the school awarding over $19 million annually.

Programs and Degrees

Eastman offers degrees across the following areas:

Performance (Classical): Orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar, harp, and organ. Students perform in the Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles.

Jazz Studies: Undergraduate and graduate programs in jazz performance and composition. Faculty includes active jazz performers and recording artists.

Composition: BM, MM, and DMA programs in contemporary classical composition. Students have regular opportunities for performances of their works by Eastman ensembles.

Music Education: Undergraduate and graduate programs leading to K-12 teaching certification. The FORTE program provides a ninth semester of tuition-free enrollment for selected music education majors completing their student teaching experience.

Musicology and Music Theory: MA and PhD programs for students pursuing academic and scholarly careers.

Conducting: MM and DMA programs in orchestral and choral conducting.

Historical Performance: Programs for students specializing in period instruments and historical performance practice.

Eastman also offers a Dual Degree Program with the University of Rochester's River Campus, allowing students to earn a BM from Eastman and a BA or BS from the College in five years. The Take Five Scholars Program provides an additional tuition-free term for students pursuing academic interests outside their major.

Admissions and Tuition

The application deadline for fall 2026 is December 1, 2025. The application fee is $100. All applicants must submit prescreening materials by this date. Eastman does not offer early decision or early action.

Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year:

• Tuition: $71,750
• Housing: $12,822
• Food: $8,506
• Orientation and First Year Program Fee: $392
• Activity Fee: $378
• Comprehensive Fee: $510
• Mandatory Health Fee: $1,104
• Total direct costs (domestic): $95,462
• Total direct costs (international): $99,970 (includes international student fee and health insurance)

Financial aid at Eastman is driven by merit (your relative ranking within the applicant pool) and informed by need. The admission process is need-blind for approximately 90 percent of decisions and can be need-aware when admitting from the waitlist. Nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships. The FAFSA deadline is February 28 (school code 008124), and the CSS Profile deadline is also February 28 (school code 2224).

Tuition typically increases by about 4 percent per year.

Real-World Example

A cellist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 faces $71,750 in tuition plus $23,328 in housing and food, bringing direct costs to $95,462. If the student receives a merit scholarship covering 50 percent of tuition ($35,875), net tuition drops to $35,875 per year. Over four years, the student pays $143,500 in tuition plus living expenses. The student performs in the Eastman Philharmonia, studies with faculty from the string department, and has access to the Sibley Music Library (the largest music library affiliated with a college or university in the United States).

Notable alumni include soprano Renée Fleming, jazz guitarist Chuck Mangione, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, and composer Christopher Rouse.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Eastman is the right choice if you want conservatory-level training within a university setting. The Dual Degree Program with the University of Rochester lets you combine a BM with a BA or BS in another field, which is valuable if you want options beyond performing. The FORTE program for music education majors is a unique benefit, giving you a tuition-free semester for student teaching.

The cost is high. At $71,750 for 2026-27, Eastman is among the most expensive music schools in the country. However, nearly 100 percent of students receive merit scholarships, so the sticker price is not what most students pay. You will only know your actual cost after being admitted and receiving a financial aid package.

Rochester is a mid-sized city with a strong classical music scene (the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is based here) but limited opportunities in commercial music, film, or tech. If you want access to a major music industry market, consider schools in New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville.

The 43 percent acceptance rate makes Eastman more accessible than Curtis (4 percent) or Juilliard (7 percent), but you still need strong audition material. Prepare well in advance and consider attending a summer program or festival to study with Eastman faculty before applying.

Visit the official Eastman website for full audition requirements and program details.

Potential Drawbacks

• High cost: $71,750 tuition for 2026-27, with total direct costs approaching $100,000. You must rely on scholarships to make it affordable.
• Rochester location: Cold winters and limited commercial music industry compared to NYC, LA, or Nashville.
• Merit-based aid uncertainty: Your scholarship amount depends on your ranking within the applicant pool, which you cannot predict in advance.
• Not need-blind entirely: The process is need-aware for approximately 10 percent of decisions (waitlist admits).

Related Resources

• Music Schools Directory - Compare Eastman with other music schools
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue while studying
• Publishing Royalty Split Calculator - Calculate splits for co-writing sessions
• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning for conservatory graduates