Private not-for-profit

Small

Cleveland Institute of Music SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPAN/A

Acceptance Rate47.3%

With a 47% admit rate and 90% freshman retention, CIM looks for students who are both a strong artistic fit and ready to stay the course. It is test-optional, but your goal should be to submit SAT or ACT scores only if they clearly strengthen your academic case alongside your audition and transcript.

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Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Cleveland Institute of Music facts and stats

Quick Facts

Cleveland Institute of Music is a small urban conservatory with an undergraduate enrollment of about 160 students. CIM has a 90% freshman retention rate, which is above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 72% 6-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, reflecting the school’s highly focused academic scale.

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Location

Cleveland, OH

Undergrad Enrollment160

Freshman Retention90%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio6:1

Graduation Rate72%

Test PolicyTest-optional

Key Cleveland Institute of Music application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

December 1

Early Action

Not offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

February 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional CIM, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall of senior year for retakes to improve a superscore. With CIM’s Regular Decision deadline on December 1, an October retake is the latest fall test date to target so scores have time to arrive.

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What you'll actually pay

CIM’s tuition and fees are $52,880. About 61% of students receive aid, and the average merit award is $15,462. Submit the FAFSA by the February 1 priority deadline to be considered for financial aid.

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Out-of-State Tuition$52,880

Tuition and Fees$52,880

Room and Board$20,950

Average Merit Award$15,462

Application Fee$125

Students on Aid61%

Average Aid Package$32,168

Average Debt at Grad$22,538

Cleveland Institute of Music’s estimated total cost of attendance is $73,830, including $52,880 in tuition and fees and $20,950 for room and board. About 61% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $32,168. Merit awards average $15,462, which can help reduce the billed cost for eligible students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $22,538.

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