Each division of the university does an external review every five years. A review panel comprised of three deans from peer institutions was invited by University President Ron Daniels and Provost Ray Jayawardhana to evaluate Peabody’s overall performance, program quality, and student experience.

The review included a detailed self-study, supporting documents, and a two-day visit by the review panel in March 2024, followed by a written report to the President and Provost. The external review findings noted the following.

Strengths and Achievements

• Peabody has demonstrated remarkable growth, innovation, and leadership among its peers.
• Peabody has increased its enrollment, launched new degrees and innovative curricular initiatives, reorganized its leadership and faculty structures including governance, improved its financial aid and compensation policies, and hired and retained top faculty.
• New/expanded programs in Jazz, technology-based programs like Music for New Media, arts and health, and dance have been implemented while maintaining core strengths in classical performance and composition.
• Peabody is extremely well run and well situated to compete and out-innovate, on an increasing basis, with the finest conservatories in the world.

Student Experience

• Students were generally satisfied with most student-support services.
• Students are proud of Peabody’s culture of excellence and kindness.
• Areas for future focus include facilities, academic advising, and the large ensembles program.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Peabody is in an enviable position of strength, with a solid financial base, a strong faculty, and an exciting suite of programs.
• Peabody is well positioned to continue to thrive and enhance its reputation as one of the nation’s top conservatories.
• Peabody should address its clear needs around space and facilities, assess overall capacity and vigilantly manage growth-related challenges, and strengthen academic advising.