2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
18
Ranked Colleges
375
Degrees Awarded
$19,700
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 1,175 people earned their degree in music theory and composition, making the major the 390th most popular in the United States.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 375 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,037 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Music Theory & Composition Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UW Seattle
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 12 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $17,287 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USC.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full USC Music Theory & Composition Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Washington University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Ellensburg, Washington, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, CWU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $10,796 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Central Washington University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $10,568 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Barbara
With a ranking of #6, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wazzu has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $7,689 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Wazzu Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #7, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
WWU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University is $9,979 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at WWU
University of Oregon came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
UO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $13,666 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Oregon.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at UO
With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $11,038 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Full UC Santa Cruz Music Theory & Composition Report
Portland State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Portland State University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,716 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Portland State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Portland State University
With a ranking of #11, Lewis & Clark College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lewis & Clark College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Lewis and Clark College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark College is $16,861 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Lewis and Clark College
University of Redlands came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $20,409 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Redlands Music Theory & Composition Report
Biola University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Biola is $27,024 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Biola University
San Francisco Conservatory of Music landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
SFCM also took the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $31,529 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at SFCM
Chapman University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Orange, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Chapman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $34,946 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chapman University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Chapman
Academy of Art University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 32 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $33,484 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Academy of Art University
California Institute of the Arts came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 32 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend CalArts is $52,801 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at CalArts
With a ranking of #18, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit institution located in Hollywood, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 181 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
LA Film School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Film School is $32,464 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at LA Film School
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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
- *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.
