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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k)

20 Ranked Colleges
64 Degrees Awarded
$41,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 $30-$48k” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in music theory and composition. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music theory and composition programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 $30-$48k

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

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Stanford University

#2

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 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 Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Rice

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at U-M

#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Johns Hopkins University

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also took the #8 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Columbia University in the City of New York

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

Florida State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Music Theory & Composition Report

#7

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boston U is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boston U has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston University Music Theory & Composition Report

#8

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#2 in overall quality

University of Rochester ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Rochester is a fairly large school located in Rochester, New York that handed out 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Rochester has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rochester are $50,505, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Rochester Music Theory & Composition Report

#9

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at USC

#10

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UC Santa Cruz

#11

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

University of Oregon came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Oregon Music Theory & Composition Report

#12

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brandeis has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis University are $52,060, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Brandeis University

#13

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 4 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699.

Full UMKC Music Theory & Composition Report

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UC

#15

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#15 in overall quality

University at Buffalo ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Buffalo, New York 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.

University at Buffalo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 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 at Buffalo are $26,028.

Full University at Buffalo Music Theory & Composition Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Kent State University at Kent

#17

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Manhattan School of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Manhattan School of Music has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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

#18

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, New York
#20 in overall quality

Five Towns College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Dix Hills, New York, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Five Towns College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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

#19

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#10 in overall quality

University of Miami ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Coral Gables, Florida. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees 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 U Miami are $40,220, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Miami

#20

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#17 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. CalArts is located in Valencia, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

CalArts also took the #17 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of the Arts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

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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