The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. Founded in 1857, it is a division of the Johns Hopkins University, and has been training musicians for more than 150 years. Here’s what you need to know about its ranking and admissions rate.

Ranking

Peabody ranks number five among the best music schools in America, according to U.S. World & News Report’s 2017 survey. It also comes in at number seven on Niche’s list of top music schools, based on academics, student life, value, diversity, teachers, and facilities.

Admission Rate

According to Niche, Peabody’s acceptance rate for undergraduate applicants is about 70 percent, which makes it more selective than most state schools but less selective than many private universities. However, it is highly competitive: The average student enrolled at Peabody has an SAT score that falls between 1260 and 1430 (out of 1600), according to Niche.

Peabody Institute Of Music Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University is 52%. In other words, of 100 students who apply, 52 are admitted.

This means the school is somewhat selective. You should prepare your academic scores well, but you have an excellent chance if you impress them. Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission. Scoring at a 1290 SAT or above will already give you a great shot at getting in. Scoring a 1410 will nearly guarantee you admission, given that your GPA is roughly the average of 3.71.

With a GPA of 3.71, Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University requires you to be near the top of your class, and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A’s. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level. If you’re currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change from this point on. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.71, you’ll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you’re prepared to take on college academics. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than

Peabody Institute Ranking

Each year U.S. News & World Report ranks Peabody among the best graduate schools of education in the country.

The college consistently receives high marks for student selectivity, a low student-to-faculty ratio, and a large volume of funded research.

Peabody programs rank at the top of the magazine’s specialty rankings:

• Special Education, 1st
• Administration/Supervision, 2nd
• Education Policy, 3rd
• Educational Psychology, 4th
• Elementary Education, 5th
• Curriculum/Instruction, 5th
• Secondary Education, 8th
• Higher Education Administration, 10th
• Student Counseling/Personnel Services, 13th

how good is peabody conservatory

Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, MD)

The Peabody Institute is one of the most important institutions for music in the US. The programs in classical and jazz performance are among the most selective in the country.

As such, students of the program are incredibly skilled. The strings faculty at New Peabody is particularly noted, as some of the world’s most noted teachers in violin, viola, and cello performance call Peabody home.

The voice program at Peabody is also well-known, housing the likes of Denyce Graves on faculty, one of most important classical vocalists of the last 30 years.

Notably, Peabody also has on faculty guitarist Manuel Barrueco, one of the greatest classical guitarists of all time.

Peabody is moving throughout the 21^st century with a renewed sense of passion for education in music, having recently created an aptly called Breakthrough Plan.

Already, Peabody has made 50 new faculty hires in the last two years, including Du Yun, winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Music Composition, as well as Midori, world-renowned violinist who is a visiting artist for 2018-2019.

The breakthrough plan at Peabody resulted in nearly a 20% increase in applications for the 2018-2019 school year from the year before in 2017-2018.
Additionally, like other music schools are now doing, the school is making a push for diversity in their admission process.

Peabody has long been one of the best schools for music in the US; the advent of its Breakthrough Plan is already placing the school in the highest echelons of excellence.

peabody conservatory admissions

At Peabody, you’ll join a community of musicians and dancers who are passionate and talented—who are defining and shaping what it means to be a 21^st century artist. Here, the future isn’t an abstract concept. It’s the result of practice and opportunity, and of talented people just like you dedicating themselves to furthering their craft. And it begins with your application.

An important part of the application process is your audition. It’s your chance to represent and express yourself as an artist. We want to see you in action. For more details, see our Auditions page.

A distinguished faculty, innovative curriculum, and extensive resources make a Peabody education world-class, but our students are what makes it unique. We invite you to take your first step and start your application. Browse our programs, majors, and faculty pages or begin the process now.  

peabody institute application

Step One

Choose your Program of Study and follow the Application Instructions for your program. Be sure to find out if Pre-screening material is required for your major and the Audition Repertoire.

Step Two

Begin your application and be sure to meet your deadlines.

• The application deadline for early decision is NOVEMBER 1st.
• The deadline for all Low-Residency MM Programs is DECEMBER 1st.
• Spring admission applications will be evaluated as they are received using rolling admission. The final date to apply for spring admission is DECEMBER 1st. 
  • Before beginning an application for Spring admission, students are encouraged to contact the admissions office at peabodyadmissions@jhu.edu to inquire about program openings and department auditions. Currently, Spring admission is available only for BFA Dance, Master of Music, and the Graduate Performance Diploma.
• The deadline for the regular admissions period is DECEMBER 1st.
• The deadline for late admission is APRIL 15th.

Step Three

Familiarize yourself with the audition options.

Step Four

Submit required financial aid applications.