CCM vs. the University of Cincinnati: Two Very Different Numbers
If you search "CCM acceptance rate," you'll often see a figure around 85%. That's the University of Cincinnati's overall rate — about 29,242 admitted from 34,285 applicants (IPEDS data via CollegeTuitionCompare) — and it reflects the whole public university, not the conservatory.
CCM itself does not publish a conservatory-specific acceptance rate. Third-party estimates put audition-based admission in roughly the 15–30% range, varying sharply by program and instrument; CollegeVine, for example, notes CCM "usually accepts around 20-30% of all applicants" and that the audition "could make up 50% or more of your admissions decision" (CollegeVine). Treat any single CCM percentage as an estimate — but understand the conservatory is genuinely selective, and piano is among its most competitive areas.
The takeaway: your application is decided by your audition, not by UC's headline admit rate. A pianist who would never assume an "85% chance" should prepare for CCM exactly as they would for any selective conservatory.
CCM Piano: A Major All-Steinway Program
CCM offers the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music (in both Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano), Doctor of Musical Arts, and Artist Diploma. It's an all-Steinway school with one of the world's largest keyboard collections — around 200 pianos. The curriculum is performance-driven: weekly private lessons, chamber music, and solo recital requirements.
CCM Piano Audition Process
CCM uses a pre-screening step submitted through its Acceptd portal, with invited applicants auditioning (live or by recorded video) in January and February.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-screening | Submitted via the CCM Acceptd portal (getacceptd.com/ccm) in early December |
| Notification | Invited applicants are notified in January |
| Live audition | On-campus auditions/interviews held January–February (recorded video where permitted) |
| Repertoire | Specific Bachelor of Music piano repertoire is listed on the Acceptd portal — confirm the current required works there |
CCM's own pages have listed slightly different early-December deadlines in different places, so confirm your exact date and the current required repertoire on the official CCM auditions page and Acceptd portal before submitting.
Tuition: A Public-University Value
Because CCM is part of a public university, tuition is far lower than most private conservatories. For 2025-26, full-time undergraduate tuition and fees are about $14,394 for Ohio residents and $29,728 for out-of-state students (University of Cincinnati Cost of Attendance). CCM also awards talent/merit scholarships through the audition, which can lower the cost further. For a serious pianist, CCM can deliver a top-tier conservatory education at a fraction of the price of NYC or Boston schools.
Who Teaches Piano at CCM
The piano faculty includes Michael Chertock (chair of piano), Dror Biran, and Liza Stepanova, with collaborative piano led by Kenneth Griffiths. CCM, founded in 1867 as the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, is one of the oldest conservatories in the US and enrolls well over 1,000 students across its divisions.
Where CCM Fits
For many pianists — especially those weighing cost — CCM is an outstanding "target" option that competes with far pricier private schools. Compare it across the field in our conservatory acceptance-rate comparison, and if affordability is a priority, read our scholarships and financial aid guide.
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Book Free EvaluationFrequently Asked Questions
What is the CCM acceptance rate?
CCM (the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music) does not publish an official conservatory-specific acceptance rate. Third-party estimates put audition-based admission in roughly the 15-30% range, varying sharply by program and instrument. This is far more selective than the University of Cincinnati's overall acceptance rate of about 85%, which is the number that misleadingly appears in many searches. Source: collegetuitioncompare.com
Why is the CCM acceptance rate so different from the University of Cincinnati's?
The University of Cincinnati is a large public university that admits about 85% of applicants overall. CCM is a selective conservatory within it, and admission is gated by audition. For music applicants, the audition can account for half or more of the decision, so the university-wide rate does not reflect how competitive CCM admission actually is. Source: collegetuitioncompare.com
How much does CCM cost?
Because CCM is part of a public university, tuition is lower than most private conservatories: roughly $14,400 per year for Ohio residents and about $29,700 for out-of-state students for 2025-26, before talent and merit scholarships. Source: uc.edu
What are the CCM piano audition requirements?
CCM requires a pre-screening submission through its Acceptd portal, due in early December, with live or recorded auditions following in January and February. Specific Bachelor of Music piano repertoire is published on the Acceptd portal rather than the public site, so applicants should confirm the current required works there. Source: ccm.uc.edu
Sources & References
- University of Cincinnati overall acceptance rate (~85%), shown for contrast: CollegeTuitionCompare (IPEDS).
- CCM conservatory admit estimate (~20–30%) and audition weight: CollegeVine. CCM does not publish an official conservatory-specific rate.
- Audition process and deadlines: CCM — Auditions.
- Tuition (in-state and out-of-state, 2025-26): University of Cincinnati — Cost of Attendance.
- Piano degrees, faculty, and all-Steinway facilities: CCM — Piano.