by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for music theory & composition students pursuing a doctor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 13 doctor's degrees in music theory & composition to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The music composition doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality music composition program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a doctor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for music theory & composition students working on their doctor's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in music theory & composition.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful decision for students interested in a doctor's degree in music theory & composition. U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor.More information about a doctorate in music theory & composition from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Any student who is interested in a doctor's degree in music theory & composition has to check out Michigan State University. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in music theory & composition from Michigan State University
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a great choice for individuals pursuing a doctor's degree in music theory & composition. UC is a very large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati.More information about a doctorate in music theory & composition from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Explore the best music theory & composition schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
One of 17 majors within the Music area of study, Music Theory & Composition has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance | 157 |
| General Music | 83 |
| Conducting | 15 |
| Musicology & Ethnomusicology | 9 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 8 |
| Stringed Instruments | 3 |
| Other Music | 3 |
| Music History | 2 |
| Music Pedagogy | 2 |
| Music Technology | 1 |
