How Much Does an Audio Engineering Degree Cost?

by Robyn Tellefsen

how much does audio engineering degree cost

When it comes to studying audio engineering, there are several education options to choose from. And the cost of an audio engineering degree depends in large part on the type of school you choose. You might study audio engineering at a two-year college or a four-year college, a career school or a liberal arts school. You'll also have the option of schooling full or part time, which is a major factor in your education budget.

How Much Does a Two-Year Audio Engineering Degree Cost?
A career school that is solely focused on audio engineering will be fully equipped with the resources and expert instruction you'll need to secure a job in the field. Typically, career schools offer two-year associate degree programs, which cost about $2,500 in tuition and fees. By attending a two-year school, you'll save money on room and board.

How Much Does a Four-Year Audio Engineering Degree Cost?
If you pursue a four-year audio engineering degree at a public college, you'll pay about $7,000 as an in-state student or $19,000 as an out-of-state student. Evidently, when it comes to your higher education, it pays to stay close to home. It also pays to go public. A private, four-year audio engineering college costs around $26,000 per year.

Beyond Audio Engineering Tuition
Of course, audio engineering tuition is only part of the equation. You'll also need to pay for books, which cost about $1,000 per year. Transportation itself may cost about $1,000, and personal expenses average about $1,800. In addition, the cost of an audio engineering degree may include specialized audio equipment such as sequencing software and mixing consoles.

If you're going to a four-year school, remember to factor housing expenses into your audio engineering degree cost. Campus housing and meals cost about $8,000 to $9,000 per year. If you live off-campus, you'll be paying rent and utilities. When you live at home, you'll need to factor in commuting costs: gas, tolls, car insurance, etc. Add up all these "hidden" costs to determine the total cost of an audio engineering degree.

Audio Engineering College Cost-Cutting
If you're looking to save on your audio engineering tuition, you may be able to take online theory classes to supplement your coursework at a brick-and-mortar school. Just make sure that your online credits can be applied toward your audio engineering degree.

Some career schools offer audio engineering programs that last around six months (and therefore cost less than a two- or four-year school does), but these programs generally lead to a diploma rather than a degree.

Financial Aid for Audio Engineering Degrees
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the numbers, remember that almost two-thirds of students don't pay the full sticker price for higher education. If you attend an accredited audio engineering school, it may be eligible to offer federal financial aid. Look for schools that have earned regional accreditation, or national accreditation from agencies such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering, both of which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Spend time researching audio engineering schools to determine the type of program that will best suit your education and career goals. Then set your budget accordingly and prepare for an audio engineering career that rocks!