Cost & aid
Cost & aid
Average cost, aid generosity, net price by family income, sticker prices, and grants.
What students pay
Grants
Sticker prices
On one scale, so the bars read against each other.
Up to $110K: the average net price per year for students receiving federal aid, 2023–24; families who didn't file the FAFSA aren't included. Above it the published data end. For your own number, use the college's net price calculator .
Family income per year $150K
- MessengerLittle need-based aid above $110K
- Visible MusicLittle need-based aid above $110K
Merit possible (proxy); averaging $5K
Published (federal figure, up to $110K) EstimateBars share one scale: the largest full price.
Where need-based aid ends, merit, and published promises
| Metric | Messenger | Visible Music |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based aid up to | Little need-based aid above $110K | Little need-based aid above $110K |
| Merit for students without need | No merit aid | 23% got a grant without federal aid, averaging $5K (proxy) |
| Published promise | – | – |
A college's own promise is stated for a typical family and changes yearly; where a promise and our estimate disagree, the promise wins. Merit has no income limit, so it can lower the price above the point where need-based aid ends.
Tuition guarantee & Promise program
| Metric | Messenger | Visible Music |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition guarantee | No | No |
| Promise program | No | No |
Sources:IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey, 2023–24;College Scorecard, 2023–24;College Scorecard, most recent release;Common Data Set, most recent releaseAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why