2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
18
Ranked Colleges
375
Degrees Awarded
$20,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Music Theory & Composition is the 390th most popular major in the country with 1,175 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 375 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer 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.
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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k 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.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 96%.
Full UCLA 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 $30-$48k. This large school is located in Seattle, 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 $30-$48k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $6,399 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
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 $30-$48k list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 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 $17,345 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k 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 impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at USC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Washington University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Ellensburg, Washington, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CWU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Washington University is $12,706 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full CWU Music Theory & Composition Report
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 $30-$48k. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 7 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $11,606 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
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 more about Music Theory & Composition at UCSB
Western Washington University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western Washington University is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,357 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Washington University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Western Washington University
University of Oregon came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UO is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
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. The estimated yearly cost for UO is $13,709 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 University of Oregon
Washington State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wazzu has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $8,719 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Washington State University
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,049 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Cruz
Portland State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k 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 $11,059 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k 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 full report on Music Theory & Composition at Portland State University
University of Redlands ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redlands, California. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $22,360 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Redlands
Lewis & Clark College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Lewis and Clark College also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark College is $21,141 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Lewis and Clark College
With a ranking of #13, Biola University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Biola is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $26,419 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Biola.
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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Biola
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 $30-$48k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco Conservatory of Music is $38,771 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full SFCM Music Theory & Composition Report
Chapman University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Orange, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
Chapman also took the #4 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chapman University is $32,071 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Chapman Music Theory & Composition Report
California Institute of the Arts ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California Institute of the Arts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 32 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CalArts is $51,512 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full CalArts Music Theory & Composition Report
Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $32,975 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Academy of Art University
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 $30-$48k list. LA Film School is a medium-sized school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 181 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
LA Film School also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LA Film School is $33,225 for far western us region 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
- *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.
