Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences (CRAS) is a private, for-profit career school specializing in audio recording and production education, with its main campus in Tempe, Arizona, a satellite facility in Gilbert, and a learning annex in Mesa. Established in New York City in 1980 as Songshop and relocated to Arizona in 1987, the school offers a single 48-week Master Recording Program II diploma covering music production, live sound, broadcast audio, film and television sound, and video game audio. CRAS is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.
Accreditation
- Accredited (initial accreditation 9/30/1990; Renewal of Accreditation granted 5/22/2025; accreditation review date 5/31/2029)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
institutional · Recognized by US Department of Education
Verified August 31, 2026Verify on accreditor site
State approval
- Licensed
AZ
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
Programs offered
| Program | Credential | Length | Modality | Tuition | Total cost | Completion | Placement | Licensure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Production | Diploma | 48 weeks total: 36 weeks on-campus instruction plus 12-week internship; 43.5 semester credit hours / 1,138 clock hours | In person | $21,250 | $25,100 | 84% | 76% | — | View |
Data sources
- CRAS homepageConservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- CRAS School Catalog Volume XLVII 2026-2027 (Revised January 2026)Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- About CRASConservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- CRAS Financial AidConservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- CRAS Consumer InformationConservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- DAPIP institution profile and accreditation records (DAPIP ID 153375, OPE ID 03034400, IPEDS 262341)U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education · Retrieved August 31, 2026
- ACCSC Voluntary Withdrawals / School Closures list (CRAS not listed)Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges · Retrieved August 31, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences accredited?
- Yes — Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences is accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Verify directly on the accreditor's website.
- Where is Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences located?
- Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences's main campus is at 2300 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ, 85282.
- What programs does Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences offer?
- Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences offers 1 programs including Audio Production.
Cost breakdown by program
Tuition, fees, and books/supplies as published by the school.
Audio Production
Cost breakdown
- Tuition
- $21,250
- Fees
- $150
- Books & supplies
- $3,700
- Total program cost
- $25,100
Questions to ask before enrolling
Bring this checklist to every information session, campus tour, or admissions phone call.
- Is the program institutionally accredited, or only state-approved?
- These are different things. State approval lets the school operate; accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is what lets you use federal financial aid and is required for many professional licensure paths.
- What is the total cost, including all fees, books, supplies, and exam fees?
- Tuition is rarely the full price. Ask for a written total program cost disclosure that itemizes tuition, registration, technology, lab, and book/supply fees, plus any required certification or licensing exam fees.
- How long is the program in clock hours, not just weeks?
- Two programs both labeled "36 weeks" can deliver very different amounts of training. Ask for the total clock hours (or credit hours) and the weekly schedule (full-time, part-time, evenings, weekends).
- What are the most recent completion and job placement rates?
- Ask for the year, the methodology, and the underlying numbers — not just a percentage. A reputable school will share its annual performance fact sheet or gainful-employment disclosure.
- Is there a licensure or certification exam? What is the most recent pass rate?
- For healthcare, beauty, and many trades programs, a state or national exam is required to work in the field. Ask for the school's most recent first-time pass rate.
- What is the refund policy if I withdraw?
- Refund schedules vary widely. Ask to see the written enrollment agreement and the state-mandated cancellation/refund schedule before signing anything.
Where this data comes from
Every figure on CareerSchoolFinder is compiled from public records, accreditor directories, or the school's own published disclosures. We never accept payment from schools to be listed, and we don't sell prospective-student information.
Public filings
State regulator records (e.g., California BPPE, Maryland Board of Cosmetologists), federal College Navigator (NCES), and IPEDS data submitted by the institution.
Accreditor directories
Active-status verifications come directly from the accrediting agency's public directory (ACCSC, ABHES, COE, ACCET, NACCAS, COMTA, and others recognized by the U.S. Department of Education).
School disclosures
Tuition, fees, program length, and outcomes (completion, placement, licensure pass rate) come from the school's published catalog, performance fact sheets, and gainful-employment disclosures.
Data changes between catalog years. Always confirm directly with the school and the relevant state regulator before enrolling. College Navigator
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