Berklee Retention and Graduation Rates
Berklee reports annual retention and graduation rates each year. The page below provides more details about Berklee's rates and trends among learning environments, demographics, and academic credentials.
The data reflects students entering Berklee as first-time, full-time undergraduate students, unless otherwise noted.
If you have any questions about retention or graduation rates, please contact institutionalassessment@berklee.edu.
Retention and Graduation Rates by Learning Environment
One-year Retention Rates
Percent of first-time, full-time undergraduate students retaining from their first fall to the second fall, as reported to IPEDS
Six-year Graduation Rates
Six-year graduation rate of first-time full-time students entering Berklee, as reported to IPEDS
Detailed Graduation Rates
Race and Ethnicity
Department of Education Definition
The U.S. Department of Education requires graduation rates to be reported based on specific race and ethnicity categories. In these calculations, each student is only counted in one race or ethnicity category.
More Inclusive Race and Ethnicity Cohort Definition
To be more inclusive in the data reporting process, the following displays an alternative methodology that counts domestic students in each race or ethnicity category they have identified. The table below shows the difference between the U.S. Department of Education IPEDS-defined cohorts and Berklee’s redefined cohorts.
Sex
The Department of Education continues to maintain a binary definition for reporting.
Financial Aid Status
The graduation rates below are based on the financial aid status of students when they entered Berklee.
Bachelor's Degree and Diploma
Berklee College of Music Only
Students who entered Berklee College of Music in the bachelor's degree program consistently have higher graduation rates than students who entered in the professional diploma program. The chart below compares these two groups and their graduating credentials.
Transfer Students
The chart below shows the graduation rates of students who transferred to Berklee as full-time students.