SAE Institute of Technology New York

CH

Chase

29 Jul 2026

As a current student nearing the end of my second module, I feel it’s important to share my experience.

Before enrolling, I had several conversations with the school because I wanted to make sure I would be set up for success both academically and financially while attending. Based on the information I received, I felt confident moving forward with the program. Unfortunately, my experience has been very different from what I understood before enrolling, and despite raising these concerns on multiple occasions, I still don’t feel they have been adequately addressed or resolved.

One of the biggest issues has been the curriculum. I enrolled with the understanding that we would be learning both Logic Pro and Pro Tools. I came into the program already feeling more comfortable with Logic and was excited to learn both DAWs together. After the program began, the focus shifted almost entirely to Pro Tools, making the transition much more difficult than I had anticipated.

The teaching approach has also been challenging. I entered this program highly motivated and maintained a 4.0 GPA. As I approach the end of the second module, I feel like I’m struggling just to pass, not because I’m unwilling to put in the work, but because I haven’t received the level of instruction and hands-on support I expected for students learning professional audio software for the first time.

The technology provided has also been disappointing. Students receive an iPad as part of the technical package, yet the primary software used in the program, Pro Tools and Logic Pro, is designed to run on a Mac, not an iPad, in the way required for coursework. That means students have limited ability to practice, complete assignments, or build their skills outside of class unless they already own the appropriate computer. Access to school studios is also limited depending on the module, making independent practice even more difficult.

I’ve also been requesting a letter simply confirming the recommended computer specifications, software, and equipment needed for the program. I have an outside organization willing to consider helping me obtain the proper equipment, but I cannot move forward without documentation from the school. Despite multiple requests, I have yet to receive it.

The financial aid process has been another source of frustration. I was told assistance would be available, yet when it came time for funds to be released, I encountered repeated delays and explanations that left me without the resources I had been expecting during the program.

I enrolled because I genuinely wanted to become an audio engineer and producer. I still want to succeed, but students should have the tools, clear communication, and instructional support necessary to do so. My hope is that SAE will take these concerns seriously, improve its support for current students, and respond to the issues I’ve raised.

CH

Chris H Local Guide

1 Apr 2026

I wrote this review in mod 2 but decided to hold onto it because I wanted to give the school the benefit of the doubt as everyone deserves however after a brief email exchange with an employee I can give it no longer. The negatives out weigh the positive 10000 percent. The tech package is a scam. This school has two bathrooms both equipped with two toilets in each and during my whole time here from may to just about September two of the four toilets have been broken and I have brought it up twice to the school only to be told they’re on it. For it to take months to fix. Save your money boys and girls.

The school prides itself on being “hands on” but you have to wait forever to actually use the equipment they sell in their admissions tour. Everything I thought I was avoiding coming to this school. I also was told my both my admissions counselors (because I had two for some reason) (and neither one still works here for some reason… strange) that we would be taught abelton only to find out they’re trying to drop abelton from the course.

Furthermore I had a death in the family and when I came back in trying to get the absence excused the school asked me to provide proof of the death and when the proof I provided wasn’t enough they googled the funeral home to see if I was telling the truth which felt super disrespectful considering I was grieving needless to say it was confirmed and excused. That being said the school really has no regard for students personal lives. (It’s the states fault is always the answer) And if you have plans of coming here and using the studio and all these great pieces of equipment you better be prepared to wait because you can’t even use it till your almost at the end of the course.

I do truly hope these things will get better or at least the toilets will get fixed because I miss a lot from the two hour long lectures when I’m searching for a toilet that’s suitable in working condition to use. Lacks organization and seems like a free for all of sorts. For the amount of money this school makes off of each student it’s so disappointing. Hard drives they give you are absolute garabage half my class had broken hard drives by the second mod and even all the teachers advise against these hard drives.

We also got an IPAD that WAS NOT FREE it was included with the toy hard drive and toy headphones all for a 1 thousand dollar payment. You won’t use the iPad and the drives unreliable and the headphones are not top of the line. DAW’s aren’t given to you either so you’ll have to pay for those on your own. So to sum it up this school will sell you a lot of garbage for an up charge and you won’t use it they’ll get paid and that’s that. It’s an elaborate con in my opinion.

Tell you what you want to hear and then forget about you. The “student success counselor” only reaches out when you owe hours. I’m writing all this and realizing how pathetic all this sounds it doesn’t feel real. Stay clear you can learn all this stuff from YouTube just buy a midi your preferred DAW and clear your schedule no need to give this scam any more money. Looking forward to finishing every day if I can make it that far we shall see.

“those who try to manipulate or mislead others are the ones truly losing out, not the people who stay focused and honest.” - One of your employees.

If only the school followed this quote!

Save your money stay away.

LS

Lorenzo S Local Guide

11 Sep 2024

I graduated in 2019, I wish I never went here. I wasted so much time and money, a lot of it is just sitting in class with notes and a little hands on. The worst part is “learning” the mixing boards, I usually found myself stuck in the back of a giant group and couldn’t see the board at all while the teacher was instructing and then a few of the students would just use the board and not give anyone else a chance. Don’t waste your time or money here! 0 Stars!

DC

Daniel C. Local Guide

22 Jul 2024

I should’ve never deleted my initial review.

After letting everyone know how once graduating all the promises of assisting with finding a job and how much they get graduates into jobs. We (myself and many other graduates) found out the total opposite. It’s been over a year and I haven’t really gotten much. Maybe a handful of emails that start once I call in and complain then stop shortly after even when they say “sorry it seems we didn’t have you on the lion mailing list.”

On top of that the aggression from student account services collecting their money even after I’ve told them to stop the payments and continue to sue so without my authorization (which I’m sure has to be against a law). I was told I won’t be getting refunds and that there’s nothing they can do.

In other words they’re telling me I can not stop them or request them to stop charging my account even though they did not deliver on the promise they so heavily advertised upon enlisting as a student.

Btw I had some of the best if not the best work of my entire class during my time there.

So much so that my professor told me he gave me a less than 100% on my final just to humble me (his words exactly).

Moving forward I’m happy to spend my own money on a lawyer even if I don’t make anything back.

What this school is doing isn’t right.

Also I deleted my initial review because the school read it and I was informed by their student career services templates that because of my review they got in trouble, as if it was my fault. How can you speak to someone like that to have their review removed because you didn’t want to get in trouble because your institution does not deliver on their promises.

I want my refund for the unauthorized charges that I know are on a recorded call and I do not want any affiliation with SAE.

As an experienced engineer in the field even before tho I g to SAE. YOU CAN DEFINITELY LEARN WHAT THWY TTACH INLINE FOR MUCH LESS.

Hire. A professional for a quarter of why they charge and get better connected in the industry.

FV

Flavio Valdivia

5 Jun 2024

This is going to be the realest review you will ever see about this school. I graduated in 2021-2022 and i’m tired of getting asked if this school is worth it. IT’S NOT! I currently work in a music studio that I got myself into. Not the school! I didn’t need a certification or anything to get in which i of course been knew about. The problem is this school promises you for better. I fell for this school like an idiot but at the end of the day this isn’t right. I mention this because the school actually reached out to me plenty of times to list me as employed and tried to make it seem like they got me the job when they didn’t! You will learn the basics of audio engineering and production. You’re better off on YouTube and putting yourself to work. This school was my biggest mistake and I actually still can’t believe i wasted thousands of dollars for it. They do a great job convincing you to come to the school mentioning a few successful graduates that are well known and even they disliked SAE. Don’t let these people lie to you and take your money. The only jobs they will help you get are minimum wage gigs such as working at a studio for $16 an hour and working at a church setting up equipment for less than $18 an hour and 4 hours of work max, and jobs that require a degree that the school doesn’t even offer you. You will not find a good job with this school. You will not learn much from it compared to YouTube. The only thing you will get from it is learn the SSL Console and be hands on with certain equipment and even at that you don’t have enough time with it. Those thousands of dollars you’re spending are better spent getting the stuff yourself. This school is a joke. I write this not because i lack success but because i’m genuinely trying to save a life. Don’t do it. Don’t listen to the person on the phone. Don’t listen to them if you sit down with them and talk about the school and what it offers. I repeat don’t do it. Most of the people i graduated with feel the exact same way as me and hate this school. Don’t waste your time.

JQ

Jesus Quinones

27 Mar 2024

Just watch youtube this school is overrated and played out already. You go there to sit in front of a screen . Teachers barely know there own class material . WE WATCHED YOUTUBE FOR A MODULE LIKE ARE YOU SERIOUS .
Don't go. It's a money grab that's all. Facilities are always overbooked can't learn your craft when your cat even gets in a recordin booth they limit it to 2 hours. No one is getting there work done in 2 hours .

BL

Beau Lobo

6 Mar 2024

1 star @ its worst. If you're reading this may you wire me $35,000 to my bank account for emotional destress, fraud of investment and other damages. Since this school did not teach me anything new about audio. It did not provide what the contract stated. If you identify as anyone other than a cisgender male you may not feel safe even booking a studio or learning in class. The technology was outdated , the equipment constantly broken, the studio barely had room to book as a student. I had to fight nail and tooth to set up my own mic, audio interface and MIDI in a room. The moments where I found space to perform music or mix songs I had to fend off other students trying to invade my studio space or teachers who also struggled to book their rooms on time. Without a doubt in my mind this institute of technology was not advanced, was not affordable, was not accessible and worse of all did not accept their students various skill levels. Music producers & audio engineers stay at home and study off YouTube is the best route. That's what you'll do here anyway.

SM

Sandra Milena Rivera (Milena) Local Guide

7 Dec 2017

If I could give this negative stars, I would. I went to SAE for the night part time program. The instructors, with the exception for 2, were terrible. Then to add insult to injury, the night time classes were reassigned those two good teachers because "they weren't allowed to work more than 40 hours". Things went downhill from there. We even had a "teacher" who spent 1 hour trying to figure out how to do something on logic, just to have him waste our time and shrug like it was funny. In another instance, a teacher FELL ASLEEP while showing us A YOUTUBE VIDEO. something i could have done in the comfort of my home, minus the snoring. Unbelievable. I will always tell anyone I can to steer clear. Things get worse if I tell you how there were people doing coke. Come on now. What a mess. And an extreme waste of a dream and 28k. Save your money, passion and time. Do it yourself at home. Don't go to a place that doesn't even care, just gives fake replies about 'oh, we're soo sorry' no, trust, no one cares. They just want to suck your pockets dry, because you can't get a hold of a teacher but financial aid will be ON YOU if you breathe wrong. I figured maybe this will help someone as I am and know many who were ripped off by this campus. Don't bother replying to my review.

DL

Dominick Luizza Local Guide

11 Apr 2014

I deeply regret going to this school instead of getting my Bachelors.
Their "courses" are one week-two week long introductions into rudimentary, crash course audio topics.
Some of the hands on activities are very helpful, however their booking system is flooded with too many students and too little equipment for the hands on sessions to be worthwhile.
I learned the most from my own equipment at home, the software they gave us and the books we had to buy, NOT the classes or their teachers.

But the real point of a trade school isn't necessarily the quality of their courses, it's their job programs and career services offered. SAE's career services are by far the WORST part about the program. They send out "job leads" daily to the alumni. Usually 80% of the "job leads" are internships, 10% short term low budget gigs and 10% are semi-useful entry level audio leads.

"LOW BUDGET DJ NEEDED FOR GENTLEMANS CLUB IN SECAUCUS NJ"
Job leads like this define SAE.