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2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

20 Ranked Colleges
64 Degrees Awarded
$41,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Music Theory & Composition is the 415th most popular major in the country with 1,117 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 64 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music theory and composition. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music theory and composition programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Stanford

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Music Theory & Composition Report

#3

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins also took the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Johns Hopkins

#4

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Rice is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #7 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Rice University

#5

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Florida State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Florida State

#8 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Columbia

#7

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#2 in overall quality

University of Rochester ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Rochester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rochester are $50,505.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Rochester

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Boston U also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Boston U

#9

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Brandeis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis University are $52,060, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Brandeis University

#10

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at USC

#11

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Music Theory & Composition Report

#12

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#15 in overall quality

University at Buffalo ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University at Buffalo is a large public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

University at Buffalo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo

#13

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, New York
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Five Towns College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Five Towns College is a small private for-profit school situated in Dix Hills, New York. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Five Towns College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Five Towns College are $25,370, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Five Towns College Music Theory & Composition Report

#14

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UO is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #14 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at UO

#15

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#12 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Music Theory & Composition Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Kent State University at Kent

#18

Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York
#13 in overall quality

Manhattan School of Music did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Manhattan School of Music is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Manhattan School of Music did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Manhattan School of Music are $49,270, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Manhattan School of Music

#19

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#10 in overall quality

University of Miami did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

U Miami also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Miami are $40,220, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at U Miami

#20

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#17 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California Institute of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466.

Full California Institute of the Arts Music Theory & Composition Report

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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