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2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

51 Ranked Colleges
310 Degrees Awarded
$35,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 310 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 51 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The music composition school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Yale

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern

#3

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #3 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Rice

#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #4 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins University Music Theory & Composition Report

#6 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 #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 3 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’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 Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#6

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952.

Full Brooklyn College Music Theory & Composition Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #22 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Music Theory & Composition Report

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 5 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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

#9

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 6 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Florida State University

#10

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 1 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Carnegie Mellon University

#11

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Music Theory & Composition Report

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Arizona State University - Tempe

#13

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#25 in overall quality

University of Kentucky ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UK also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kentucky are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UK Music Theory & Composition Report

#14

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#7 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at USC

#16

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 2 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Youngstown State University Music Theory & Composition Report

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Full Michigan State Music Theory & Composition Report

#18

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 5 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Music Theory & Composition Report

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and it awarded 2 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UCO

#20

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#8 in overall quality

University of Rochester did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Rochester is a fairly large school located in Rochester, New York that handed out 7 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Rochester, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’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 Rochester are $50,505.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Rochester

#21

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Eugene, Oregon, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at UO

#20 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’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.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#23

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Brandeis is a medium-sized school located in Waltham, Massachusetts that handed out 1 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis University are $52,060.

Full Brandeis University Music Theory & Composition Report

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 11 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

#25

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at WMU

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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