Manhattan School of Music Acceptance Rate: The Real Numbers
MSM’s undergraduate acceptance rate is about 40% — roughly 573 admitted from 1,405 applicants in the most recent federal reporting year (IPEDS data via Data USA, 2024). The rate has held near 40% for two consecutive reported years.
Two caveats keep that number honest:
- It’s institution-wide, not piano-specific. MSM does not publish a per-instrument rate, and piano is among the most-applied-to studios — so a pianist’s real odds are more competitive than 40%.
- Admission is by audition. The application is a threshold; the studio audition decides. A strong academic file will not offset a weak audition.
MSM shares its Morningside Heights neighborhood — and much of its applicant pool — with Juilliard, but the two are separate schools with separate auditions. Many pianists apply to both; treat each audition’s repertoire list on its own terms.
What MSM Costs
For 2026–27, MSM lists undergraduate tuition of $60,800, with a total on-campus cost of attendance of about $82,000 once fees, housing, and meals are included (MSM Tuition Overview).
Aid is widely distributed: roughly 84% of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and MSM directs applicants to its scholarship pages and a net price calculator for an individual estimate. As always at a private conservatory, the published price is a starting point, not a final bill.
MSM Piano Audition Requirements
MSM requires a prescreening video to earn an audition invitation, then a live or recorded audition. All works are performed from memory.
| Stage | What's required (undergraduate piano) |
|---|---|
| Prescreening | Required video: two or more contrasting works, ~15–20 minutes, each uploaded as a separate unedited clip |
| Baroque | One Baroque work |
| Classical | A complete Classical sonata |
| 19th century | Work(s) from the 19th century |
| 20th/21st century | Work(s) from the 20th or 21st centuries |
| Memory / deadline | All repertoire from memory; prescreen and application due December 1 |
Repertoire and audition dates change year to year — always confirm the current cycle on the school's official audition pages before preparing.
Who Teaches Piano at MSM
MSM’s piano faculty is stacked with performing artists. It includes Yefim Bronfman, a Grammy-winning international concert pianist; Olga Kern, gold medalist of the 2001 Van Cliburn Competition; department co-heads Alexandre Moutouzkine and Inesa Sinkevych; and Michelle Cann, a noted interpreter of Florence Price (MSM Piano Program). A studio led by active touring artists means real mentorship in building a performing career.
Where MSM Fits Among Top Conservatories
Among New York conservatories, MSM is more accessible on paper than Juilliard but no less serious about piano — its value is the combination of a large, distinguished faculty and total immersion in the city’s concert life, from Carnegie Hall down. Its alumni include internationally acclaimed pianists such as Kirill Gerstein. Compare selectivity across schools in our top-12 conservatory acceptance-rate guide, or read our Juilliard piano guide.
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Book Free EvaluationFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Manhattan School of Music acceptance rate?
Manhattan School of Music's undergraduate acceptance rate is about 40% — roughly 573 admitted from 1,405 applicants in the most recent federal (IPEDS) reporting year. This is an institution-wide figure; MSM does not publish a piano-specific rate, and piano admission is more competitive than the overall number. Source: datausa.io
How much does Manhattan School of Music cost?
For 2026-27, MSM lists undergraduate tuition of $60,800, with a total on-campus cost of attendance of about $82,000 including fees, housing, and meals. Roughly 84% of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, so the net cost is often lower than the sticker price. Source: msmnyc.edu
What are the MSM piano audition requirements?
MSM requires a prescreening video of two or more contrasting works (about 15-20 minutes, from memory) to earn an audition invitation. The full audition spans four style periods: one Baroque work, a complete Classical sonata, work from the 19th century, and work from the 20th or 21st centuries. The prescreen and application are due December 1. Source: msmnyc.edu
Who teaches piano at Manhattan School of Music?
The piano faculty includes Yefim Bronfman (Grammy-winning concert pianist), Olga Kern (2001 Van Cliburn gold medalist), department co-heads Alexandre Moutouzkine and Inesa Sinkevych, and Michelle Cann, among others. Source: msmnyc.edu
Sources & References
- Acceptance rate (~40%; 573 of 1,405) and enrollment (~1,084): IPEDS data via Data USA (2024). Institution-wide; MSM does not publish a piano-specific rate.
- Tuition and cost of attendance: MSM — Tuition Overview (2026–27).
- Piano prescreening and audition requirements: MSM — Piano Prescreening & Audition Procedures.
- Application deadlines: MSM — College Dates & Deadlines.
- Piano faculty: MSM — Piano Program.