2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k
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 $48-$75k” 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.
This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 20 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
Featured schools near , edit
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k)
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 $48-$75k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Rice has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.
Columbia also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Florida State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tallahassee, Florida 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.
Florida State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Florida State University
Boston University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’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.
University of Rochester ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k 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
University of Southern California landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
USC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #10, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, UO has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Oregon
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #18 rank 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 University of California - Santa Cruz
University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
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 UMKC are $26,699.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Missouri - Kansas City
With a ranking of #13, Brandeis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Waltham, Massachusetts 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 3 students in 2019-2020.
Brandeis also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis University are $52,060, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University at Buffalo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. 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 also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo
With a ranking of #15, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Manhattan School of Music landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Manhattan School of Music is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
Manhattan School of Music not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. 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 full report on Music Theory & Composition at Manhattan School of Music
Kent State University at Kent landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Kent State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.
Five Towns College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Five Towns College is a private for-profit institution located in Dix Hills, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Five Towns College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Five Towns College are $25,370, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Five Towns College
University of Miami landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Coral Gables, Florida 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 3 students in 2019-2020.
U Miami also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U Miami are $40,220, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
California Institute of the Arts came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California Institute of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.
CalArts also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full California Institute of the Arts Music Theory & Composition Report
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Narrow Results by Region
Southeast
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
Plains States
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
New England
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the New England Region
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
Southwest
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
General Music
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for General Music (Income $48-$75k)
Music Performance
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Performance (Income $48-$75k)
Conducting
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Conducting (Income $48-$75k)
Voice Performance
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Voice Performance (Income $48-$75k)
Stringed Instruments
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Stringed Instruments (Income $48-$75k)
Music Technology
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Technology (Income $48-$75k)
Woodwind Instruments
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Woodwind Instruments (Income $48-$75k)
Music History
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music History (Income $48-$75k)
Musicology & Ethnomusicology
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Musicology & Ethnomusicology (Income $48-$75k)
Keyboard Instruments
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Keyboard Instruments (Income $48-$75k)
Jazz Studies
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Jazz Studies (Income $48-$75k)
Music Pedagogy
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Pedagogy (Income $48-$75k)
Brass Instruments
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Brass Instruments (Income $48-$75k)
Other Music
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Other Music (Income $48-$75k)
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor's Degree Schools
Music Theory & Composition students
Most Focused Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition
Music Theory & Composition students
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Online Music Theory & Composition Schools
Music Theory & Composition students
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k)
Music Theory & Composition students with family income less than $30k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k)
Music Theory & Composition students with family income $48-$75k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income Over $110k)
Music Theory & Composition students with family income exceeding $110k
Highest Paid Doctor's Degree Music Theory & Composition Graduates
Music Theory & Composition students
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition
Music Theory & Composition students
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (With Aid)
Music Theory & Composition students getting aid
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k)
Music Theory & Composition students with family income $30-$48k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k)
Music Theory & Composition students with family income $75-$110k
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.
Featured Performing Arts Schools
Request Info |
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |