What is the cost comparison between the American Band College and Various U.S. Universities? Note: All fees are based on 2012 prices and are subject to change.  The ABC Masters Degree An Item-by-Item Cost Comparison ITEM ACADEMIC COSTS VARIOUS U.S. UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE at SHSU Credits & fees (45 quarter/30 sem. hours) $35,000 to $56,250 $14,340 Cost of academic fees PER summer $15,208 average nationally $4,780 Average cost PER CREDIT (semester credit) $1521 (per semester credit) $478 (per semester credit) Average cost PER CREDIT (quarter credit) $1013 (per quarter credit) $319 (per quarter credit) (†) Study material set, special books and materials plus local fees related to lab and classroom usage that are bill as part of Room & Board & Local Fees below. RO0OM AND BOARD COSTS & LOCAL FEES VARIOUS U.S. UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE at SHSU Room & Board (3 summers/double occupancy*) $10,000 to $18,000 $3,960 Books, music, recordings, and lab fees (3 summers) $3,000 to 5,000 $85 (optional) COST of room, board and lab fees PER summer $5,333 $1,320 (*) Based on period of time students would be required to live on campus: normally 6 weeks per summer at most universities; 2+ weeks per summer for ABC. Breakfast and lunch included in room and board cost above. TOTAL COMBINED COSTS VARIOUS U.S. UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE at SHSU TOTAL cost of degree (excluding travel) $48,350 average nationally $18,300 Cost of academic fees/room/board PER SUMMER $16,117 average nationally $6,100 Total cost of The American Band College Master's Degree is about 1/3 the national average! TEACHING STAFF & CLASS DIVERSITY VARIOUS U.S. UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE at SHSU Total number of teachers per summer 6 to 10 23 Total number of different teachers (3 years) 15 to 20 51 Total number of different subject areas 10 to 15 25 Classes related directly to band directing 10 to 20 75 The Sam Houston State University master's degree (provided in conjunction with the American Band College) is a Master of Music (M.M.) Conducting Track degree. The degree is conferred by Sam Houston State University (an NASM* school) under the auspices of the Texas State Board of Higher Education. In addition, the American Band College Certification (similar to a Nursing Certification) is awarded, in the form of a myrtlewood plaque, by the ABC masters degree faculty to those completing the degree. Number of graduates through Summer of 2011 exceeds 680, with candidates from more than 47 states. (CLICK HERE to see ABC Candidate Photobook) *NASM, founded in 1924, is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges and universities. It has approximately 600 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials. Institutional Membership is gained through the peer review process of accreditation.