Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New York, New York
9% Acceptance Rate
The Juilliard School — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
9%Acceptance Rate
$81,090Annual Cost
$37,827Grad Salary
13.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
9%
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
13.3% receive Pell
The Juilliard School, established in 1905, is the world's premier performing arts conservatory in New York City. Juilliard trains dancers, actors, and musicians through intensely rigorous programs. The school's faculty includes Grammy and Tony winners. Juilliard's Lincoln Center location provides unparalleled performance opportunities.
Students regularly perform with the Juilliard Orchestra at venues like Carnegie Hall. Alumni range from Yo-Yo Ma to Viola Davis. Admission is fiercely competitive, with auditions determining entry. For those seeking to master their art among the best, Juilliard is the ultimate training ground.
The Juilliard School Acceptance Rate
Getting into The Juilliard School is a genuine long shot for most applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%, meaning admission is reserved for a small fraction of an already strong applicant pool.
What Juilliard Admissions Looks For
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
- Curriculum Rigor: AP, IB, or Honors coursework is treated as a baseline, not a bonus.
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator. Your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The Juilliard School Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for The Juilliard School is December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 121 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
December 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Juilliard
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on The Juilliard School's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
The Juilliard School (Juilliard) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Juilliard is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Juilliard Without SAT or ACT?
Juilliard neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Juilliard
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
At this tier, the applicants who get in usually have one thing in common: a clear, specific reason Juilliard needed them, not just a strong transcript.
Research Which Faculty Studios Are Actually Accepting New Students Before Applying
Curtis admits students specifically to fill open studio spots - if your instrument has no graduating seniors creating an opening that year, Curtis may admit zero applicants in that area regardless of talent level. Contact the admissions office or research faculty rosters directly to confirm your specific instrument or voice type has genuine openings before investing in the full application and audition process.
Treat Prescreening as the Real First Gate - Not a Formality Before the "Real" Audition
Dance and Acting applicants must submit prescreening videos or attend a remote prescreening session, and only those with favorable results are invited to audition in person; Acting prescreening slots fill on a first-come, first-served basis, often before the application deadline itself. Submit your application and register for prescreening as early as possible rather than waiting until close to the deadline, since waiting can mean losing access to a slot entirely.
Prepare Your Entire Required Repertoire for Music Auditions, Even If Only Part Is Heard
Music auditions are held in person on Juilliard's New York campus, and while faculty may not listen to entire pieces, applicants are expected to have full required repertoire genuinely prepared and ready to perform any requested section on demand. Treat every piece on your list as audition-ready in full, not just the opening passage you expect to play.
Don't Over-Invest in GPA or Test Scores at the Expense of Artistic Preparation
Juilliard has no minimum GPA or standardized test score requirement and does not require specific preparatory coursework - academic records are reviewed mainly to confirm baseline readiness, while audition performance carries dominant evaluative weight. Direct your remaining preparation time overwhelmingly toward repertoire selection, technical readiness, and (for dance and acting) prescreening video quality rather than chasing marginal academic credential improvements.
Expert Insight: Do not assume a strong prescreening submission guarantees serious consideration at the in-person audition stage - prescreening functions as a filter to manage audition capacity, and applicants who advance still compete in a process where Dance accepts only 20-24 students per year from a substantially larger pool, so in-person audition preparation deserves the same intensity as the prescreening submission itself.
Juilliard Profile
Full Name
The Juilliard School (Juilliard)
City
New York
State
New York
ZIP Code
10023-6588
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Juilliard Degree Worth It?
At $81,090/year against a $37,827 median graduate salary, Juilliard is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $75,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.41%.
How much does a degree from Juilliard Cost?
The sticker price is $81,090/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
13.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 21.2% take federal loans at Juilliard. File your FAFSA early and list Juilliard as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Juilliard Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $37,827. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Juilliard
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Doctoral Degree Programs
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Juilliard Admissions
Median earnings for The Juilliard School graduates sit around $37,827 a year.
At about $81,090 a year, The Juilliard School's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
The Juilliard School's Pell Grant rate of 13.3% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 9%, The Juilliard School admits a very small share of applicants. This is elite-tier selectivity.
The application deadline for The Juilliard School is December 1.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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