What is the cost comparison between the American Band College and Various U.S. Universities? Note: All fees are based on 2010 prices.  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) $25,000 to $40,000 $12,236 Books, music, recordings, and lab fees $1,500 to $2,000 $215 (†) TOTAL COST of ALL academic fees $32,500 average nationally $12,451 Cost of academic fees PER summer $10,833 average nationally $4,150 Average cost PER CREDIT (semester credit) $1083 (per semester credit) $408 (per semester credit) Average cost PER CREDIT (quarter credit) $722 (per quarter credit) $272 (per quarter credit) (†) Study material set and special books or materials for C session non-music dept. offerings. All other required textbooks provided as part of tuition. RO0OM AND BOARD COSTS VARIOUS U.S. UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN BAND COLLEGE at SHSU Room & Board (3 summers/double occupancy*) $9,000 to $17,000 $2,271 COST of room and board PER summer $4,333 $757 (*) 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) $47,250 average nationally $14,722 Cost of academic fees/room/board PER SUMMER $15,750 average nationally $4,907 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 by the American Band College) is a Master of Music. 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 2009 exceeds 500, with candidates from more than 45 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.