At Jacobs, you get a world-class conservatory education with a tuition that is among the lowest found at major music schools in the United States.
We also offer an exceptional scholarship and financial aid program, with more than 80 percent of our students receiving some form of financial aid.
You will be considered for both merit-and need-based financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Each year we recognize exceptional talent with merit-based scholarships!
All applicants to the Jacobs School of Music are automatically considered for these awards, and no separate scholarship application is required.
At the undergraduate level, merit-based awards include the Dean's Scholarship, Premier Young Artist Award, Jacobs Scholar Award, Presidential Scholars Awards, and more.
We award these scholarships based on your musical talent and level of accomplishment as demonstrated in your audition or interview as well as academic achievement.
Please note that freshman applicants are not considered for the IU Achievement Scholarships administered by the IU Office of Scholarships. The Jacobs School of Music administers these scholarships, taking into consideration the combination of academic achievement and talent as it is demonstrated in the audition. This enables music applicants to be considered for scholarship on the basis of their SAT/ACT, GPA, and musical talent, rather than on SAT/ACT and GPA alone.
You may still apply for IU Scholarship opportunities via the Selective Scholarship Application, information for which can be found on the IU Office of Scholarships website.
Graduate merit-based awards include the Graduate Tuition Award, Artistic Excellence Award, Jacobs Fellowship, and numerous endowed scholarships.
In addition, a limited number of Associate Instructorships and Graduate Assistantships are available each year in various departments. These positions offer a near complete coverage of tuition cost and a cash stipend, and give students invaluable experience teaching or performing other duties for their department.
Some doctoral students may also qualify for the four-year Jacobs School of Music Doctoral Fellowship, which is designed to provide significant financial funding for a student over four years. These fellowships are tailored to the needs of a given department and typically includes three years of Associate Instructorship and/or Graduate Assistantship and one year of a cash award (fellowship year).
Graduate merit-based financial aid is highly competitive, and all applicants to a graduate program are automatically considered for merit-based financial assistance.
Scholarship decisions are made in mid-March after all admitted applicants have been notified. Those receiving scholarships will receive notification by the week of April 1. This allows us to evaluate the entire applicant pool and consider all applicants equally, regardless of when they auditioned or interviewed in the process.
Each year, Indiana University students receive more than $280 million in federal financial aid and more than half of the students in the Jacobs School of Music receive need-based federal aid.
Please note, need-based financial aid is processed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, and international students are not eligible for federally funded need-based aid.
Learn more about need-based financial aid optionsCosts for tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses will vary depending on a few factors, such as:
The information below reflects the estimated cost for a full academic year at Jacobs. To determine expenses for one semester, divide these numbers in half. Please note that your individual costs may vary for room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
| Distribution of Costs | Indiana residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory IU fees | $12,142 | $42,294 |
| Program fee | $2,508.08 | $2,508.08 |
| Housing and Food* | $14,160 | $14,160 |
| Total direct costs | $28,810.08 | $58,962.08 |
| Books and supplies* | $1,290 | $1,290 |
| Transportation* | $968 | $968 |
| Personal expenses* | $2,360 | $2,360 |
| Total indirect costs | $4,618 | $4,618 |
| Total cost of attendance | $33,428.08 | $63,580.08 |
*Actual costs vary by student and are based on rates for 2025-26 academic year.
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*Actual costs vary by student and are based on rates from 2025-26 academic year.
Graduate Enrollment and Tuition Guide
To help determine estimated yearly cost based on tuition cost per credit hour, please follow the enrollment guidelines below.
Master’s students must register for a minimum of 8 credit hours and maximum of 19 credit hours per semester, including 2 credit hours of major ensemble that are free of charge. The average enrollment is approx. 11-12 credit hours per semester.
Diploma students must register for a minimum of 10 credit hours per semester, including 2 credit hours of major ensemble that are free of charge.
Doctoral students must register for a minimum of 8 credit hours and maximum of 19 credit hours per semester. The average enrollment is approximately 11-12 credit hours per semester. Most doctoral programs do not require enrollment in major ensemble. However, if required, you must register for 2 credit hours of major ensemble that are free of charge and included in your minimum/maximum semester load.
| Distribution of Costs | Indiana residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition cost per credit hour* | $488.00 | $1,698.00 |
| Program fee per semester | $1,150.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Mandatory IU fee per semester | $761.02 | $761.02 |
| Total Estimated Yearly Cost for Tuition & Fees | ||
| *Enrollment in 8 credits, including ensemble, per semester | $9,678.04 | $24,198.04 |
| *Enrollment in 10 credits, including ensemble, per semester | $11,630.04 | $30,990.04 |
| *Enrollment in 11 credits, including ensemble, per semester | $12,606.04 | $34,386.04 |
*Actual costs vary by student and are based on 2025-26 academic year.
Graduate Enrollment and Tuition Guide
To help determine estimated yearly cost based on tuition cost per credit hour, please follow the enrollment guidelines below.
Master’s students must register for a minimum of 8 credit hours and maximum of 19 credit hours per semester, including 2 credit hours of major ensemble that are free of charge. The average enrollment is approx. 11-12 credit hours per semester.
Doctoral students must register for a minimum of 8 credit hours and maximum of 19 credit hours per semester. The average enrollment is approximately 11-12 credit hours per semester. Most doctoral programs do not require enrollment in major ensemble. However, if required, you must register for 2 credit hours of major ensemblefree of charge and included in your minimum/maximum semester load.
