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2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
115 Degrees Awarded
$21,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

Across the Far Western US region, there were 295 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 115 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in music theory and composition. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music theory and composition programs, but they also cost less that 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.

More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $7,467 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,254 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Los Angeles

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #4 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,895 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 91%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Barbara

#4

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,337 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Washington State University

#5

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Washington University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, WWU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $11,228 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Western Washington University

#6

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The impressive 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. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Southern California Music Theory & Composition Report

#7

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
#14 in overall quality

Central Washington University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CWU is located in Ellensburg, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

CWU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $11,423 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CWU.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Central Washington University

#8

Northwest University

Kirkland, Washington
#11 in overall quality

Northwest University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest University is located in Kirkland, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Northwest University also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Northwest University is $15,049 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Northwest University

#9

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#20 in overall quality

Portland State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,440 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Portland State University.

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

#10

Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington
#13 in overall quality

Whitman College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Walla Walla, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Whitman also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Whitman College is $23,487 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Whitman College Music Theory & Composition Report

#11

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#10 in overall quality

University of Redlands came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Redlands, California, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Redlands has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $22,240 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% 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

#12

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Lewis & Clark College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Lewis and Clark College is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Lewis and Clark College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark College is $25,048 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, 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

#13

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of the Pacific did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stockton, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pacific has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $23,385 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pacific.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of the Pacific

#14

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#6 in overall quality

Pepperdine University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Malibu, California, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Pepperdine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Pepperdine University is $29,593 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pepperdine University Music Theory & Composition Report

#15

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Biola University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Biola University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Mirada, California. It awarded 1 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Biola, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Biola University is $25,855 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Biola University Music Theory & Composition Report

#16

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#18 in overall quality

Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Diego, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

PLNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend PLNU is $24,654 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at PLNU

#17

Chapman University

Orange, California
#5 in overall quality

Chapman University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chapman is located in Orange, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Chapman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman University is $31,826 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Chapman University

#18

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

San Francisco Conservatory of Music did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. SFCM is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFCM also took the #7 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFCM is $29,980 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive 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 student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at SFCM

#19

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #8 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Institute of the Arts is $42,784 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at California Institute of the Arts

#20

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#19 in overall quality

Academy of Art University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 18 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $34,125 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Academy of Art University Music Theory & Composition Report

#21

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, California
#21 in overall quality

Los Angeles Film School landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Hollywood, California, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

LA Film School also took the #21 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Film School is $31,259 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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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