How To Get Student Loans for Sound Engineering School in 2025

You have a range of career paths if you're interested in sound engineering. But if you want to pursue a certificate program or degree, it'll come at a cost. Depending on the type of training you receive, it may be more than you can afford. In that case, you can get student loans for sound engineering school after exhausting grant and scholarship opportunities.

This article covers the different types of financial aid for music production school and what to consider before borrowing.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for sound engineering school?

You can get student loans for sound engineering school from the Department of Education or private lenders. However, your sound engineering school must be accredited and participate in Title IV federal student aid programs for you to access federal student loans.

If your specific program or school doesn't qualify for federal aid, you may be able to get private student loans if you qualify.

Federal student loans for sound engineering students

Students who want to receive federal financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After submitting your FAFSA, you'll receive a financial aid package from the schools that accept you, and it may include federal student loans. These can include:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: Undergraduate students with financial need may qualify for Direct Subsidized Loans. During school, deferment, and your grace period, the federal government covers the interest on these loans. There's an annual limit based on your degree and year in school, as well as an aggregate limit.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans don't have an interest subsidy and are available to undergraduate and graduate students. While they're more accessible and don't have a financial need requirement, there are annual and aggregate limits based on your degree and year in school. 
• Direct PLUS Loans: Available to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduates, PLUS loans allow you to borrow up to the cost of attendance at your school (minus other financial aid you've received). To qualify, you can't have an adverse credit history (meaning negative marks in your credit history, such as a recent foreclosure or bankruptcy discharge).

“If the program is offered through a federally accredited institution, then federal loans like Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, or even Pell Grants, could be available,” says Becca Craig, a certified financial planner (CFP), certified student loan professional (CSLP), and wealth adviser at Focus Partners Wealth.

“But if the program isn't accredited in that way, you're likely limited to private loans,” she adds. “Private loans often have higher interest rates, fewer forgiveness protections, and less flexible repayment options, so it's important to research all your options.”

Federal loans offer access to student loan forgiveness, which is a significant benefit.

"If you might need forgiveness to manage the loans, consider income-driven repayment options like Income Based Repayment (IBR) or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to help keep payments manageable and to make progress toward forgiveness," says Glenn Sanger-Hodgson, a certified student loan professional who graduated from Ithaca College's Sound Recording Technology program.

Private loans for audio engineering programs

You may hit your federal loan limit, or your school may not participate in the federal financial aid program. If that's the case, student loans for sound engineering schools may be available from private lenders.

You can get private student loans for trade school or certificate programs focused on audio engineering. A few private lenders that offer these types of loans include:

• College Ave
• Sallie Mae
• Abe 

After researching private lenders, review the interest rates on the loans. Rates could be fixed and stay the same for your loan's duration, or variable and potentially fluctuate throughout repayment. You also want to look at repayment terms, which dictate how long you have to repay the loans. When comparing lenders, look at your repayment options and any borrower benefits like deferment options or longer grace periods.

Private lenders check your credit as part of the application process. If you don't qualify on your own, you may need to add a cosigner to your application who has strong credit. A cosigner agrees to be responsible for repayment if you fail to meet your obligations as a borrower. Some lenders offer cosigner release while others don't, so verify the policy before applying.

Cost of sound engineering school and salary expectations

The cost of sound engineering school depends on the type of program and school you attend. For example, a two-year associate degree in audio production from Camden County College may cost around $11,000. The Blackbird Academy has a six-month Live Sound Engineering program for $23,100 in tuition.

Getting a music production and engineering bachelor's degree can cost a lot more. At Berklee College of Music, tuition alone costs $52,440 for the 2025-2026 academic year. For a four-year degree, that exceeds six figures.

In addition to tuition costs, your program may also charge additional fees for certain equipment, tools, supplies, or materials.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, sound engineering technicians have a mean annual wage of $74,100. However, projected salaries can vary widely by region. For example, sound engineering technicians in Washington have a mean annual salary of $110,270, while those in California earn $83,340.

It can also depend on the type of job you have.

“The obvious track is to work in a studio doing recording and mixing. I know some people that went on to become mastering engineers, too,” says Sanger-Hodgson.

“There's plenty of work in television and movie production, doing location sound for shoots or post-production mixing,” he adds. “Live sound of all kinds is another option — for music acts, in theaters, or working as an AV tech for corporate and live events. Sound design for video games is another popular field.”

Other ways to pay for sound engineering school

Taking out student loans for sound engineering school can help cover the cost of your education. But you should look into other options before turning to loans. Prioritize grants and scholarships, which can reduce borrowing costs.

Scholarships may be available from your school, nonprofits, and music or industry organizations like the Audio Engineering Society. The Abbey Road Institute offers a full scholarship for its sound engineering program.

Taking on work through part-time employment or the federal work-study program can help you earn more for school. If you're working in the field, you can also see if your employer provides any tuition assistance or sponsorship for your education.

“In some cases, delaying attending school for a year or two so you can save up to pay a portion of the tuition in cash can be a good strategy,” says Sanger-Hodgson.

Smart borrowing strategies for creative career paths

Whether you're pursuing a bachelor's or a certificate program, student loans for sound engineering school are available. While they can be a useful tool, you still have to pay them back, and you should be smart about borrowing. Here are some helpful tips:

• Go after gift aid first: Before turning to loans, take advantage of any music production school financial aid, such as scholarships or grants.
• Limit borrowing: Look at your budget and how much you need to pay for school. Limit borrowing to that amount so you don't take out more loans than you actually need.
• Estimate your total cost of attendance: Look at your tuition and fees, but also expenses for books, supplies, housing, food, and transportation.
• Research future earnings: Understand the types of salaries available in this profession and what jobs you might have post-graduation or completion of your program.
• Read the fine print: Before signing your loan's promissory note, understand the loan terms, repayment plans, and hardship options. Federal loans offer borrowers a chance to lower their monthly payments through income-driven repayment. Additionally, student loan forgiveness may be an option. Private loans don't offer similar benefits, but see if your potential lender offers deferment or forbearance if you lose your job or face a financial crisis.

Additionally, you want to make sure you understand any changes or new legislation that may affect your student loans.

“Stay informed. Student loan policy is changing really quickly. Borrowers who check in regularly with their loan servicers or work with a financial adviser are usually in the best position to take advantage of new opportunities or avoid missteps,” says Craig.