Eastman School of Music
Cost of Attendance
Before you begin with estimating your costs, it may help to know more about how the financial aid process works here at Eastman.
The chart below is a quick reference guide. This chart is intended to give you an idea of the scholarship amounts awarded to students with different need levels and merit scores.
| Student Aid Index (SAI) Range per the FAFSA Calculation | Average Award | Award Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14K | $35,000 | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| 14K–30K | $33,000 | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| 30K–60K | $29,000 | $18,000 – $49,000 |
| 60+K (incl. Merit Only and No FAFSA) | $26,000 | $10,000 – $45,000 |
Our financial aid process is driven by merit (your relative ‘ranking’ within the current pool of applicants) and informed by need (the difference between your ‘student aid index’ per the FAFSA and the total cost of attendance: tuition, fees, housing/food, and other indirect expenses). As with many merit-based music schools, the only way to truly know what an Eastman education will cost you is to be admitted and receive a financial aid package. The calculator will give you an idea of what government aid you might be eligible for. It will ask you to anticipate whether you will rate in the upper, middle, or lower third of the merit range of our admitted applicants. This is, of course, an unknown variable, so we encourage you to submit your information three times choosing each answer. Also keep in mind that the division of merit ratings into three tiers is far less nuanced than our actual merit assessment process.
Tuition and Fees Link to section
No undergraduate student at Eastman pays their full Direct Cost.
**Nearly 100% of our students receive some amount of merit scholarship.
Direct costs are expenses that are typically charged to a student’s bill by the Eastman School of Music. These direct costs are based on the best information we have to date. The 2024-25 Schedule of Charges is posted on the University Bursar’s Website.
All organists are charged an organ fee of approximately $300 per semester.
All senior students are charged a senior class fee of $38 each semester.
If a student takes a leave of absence, the student is charged $80 per semester.
If you live in a dorm room, all residence halls are assessed for damages beyond normal wear and tear at the end of each semester; damage fees are split between the residents of the room. Typically, fees are between $25 – $100.
| Tuition | $65,870 |
| Housing | 11,820 |
| Food | 7,750 |
| Orientation and First Year Program Fee | 360 |
| Activity Fee | 346 |
| Comprehensive Fee | 492 |
| Mandatory Health Fee | 828 |
| Total Direct Costs: | $87,466 |
| Tuition | $65,870 |
| Housing | 11,820 |
| Food | 7,750 |
| Orientation and First Year Program Fee | 360 |
| International Student Fee | 106 |
| Health Insurance | 3720 |
| Activity Fee | 346 |
| Comprehensive Fee | 492 |
| Mandatory Health Fee | 828 |
| Total Direct Costs: | $91,292 |
Indirect costs are expenses that are typically incurred and not paid directly to the Eastman School of Music.
All students are required to have health insurance. International students are required to get the University Health Insurance and it has already been added into the direct cost section.
Domestic students, who are not covered under their parents health insurance, must get the University Health Insurance $3,720.
If you are borrowing Federal Loans, typically the average loan fee is $29 for first year students, $34 for sophomores and $40 for juniors and seniors.
| Personal | $1,080 |
| Books, course materials, supplies and equipment | 700 |
| Transportation | 600 |
| Total Indirect Costs (Estimated): | $2,380 |
| Personal | $1,080 |
| Books, course materials, supplies and equipment | 700 |
| Transportation | 1,500 |
| Total Indirect Costs (Estimated): | $3,280 |
Continue to the Net Price Calculator to determine estimated costs, federal grant, work and loans.
According to the Department of Education’s Student Financial Aid Handbook, “The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for a period of enrollment”. A student’s COA is used to determine financial aid eligibility. The basic components of an Eastman student’s COA include tuition and fees, books &supplies, housing, food and miscellaneous (travel and personal) expenses.
The COA may be adjusted on an individual basis for dependent care and study abroad fees. These adjustments will only increase a student’s loan eligibility. All adjustments must be supported by documentation. Students who wish to be considered for a COA adjustment for any reason should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss both the change and the additional loan eligibility that may result.
Thanks to our generous donors, all students receive a merit award reducing out of pocket expenses. Please see the Prospective Students page where you will find details about eligibility and criteria for all merit and need based aid.
For detailed information about the costs of an undergraduate degree at Eastman, please see the Billing and Fees page of the University of Rochester Bursar’s Office website.
If you would like more information on financial aid for undergraduate students, please visit the Prospective Students page of our website.
Contact University Health Services regarding waiving the insurance or for any other health insurance questions.
Contact University Dining Services regarding student dining plans.