2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
18
Ranked Colleges
375
Degrees Awarded
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in music theory and composition. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music theory and composition programs that also have a lower cost than 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
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.
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. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $8,393 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UW Seattle
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $12,644 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCLA.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $22,826 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.
Full University of Southern California Music Theory & Composition Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Oregon landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Oregon is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 9 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UO is $16,014 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full University of Oregon Music Theory & Composition Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #5 spot on the list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
UCSB also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,583 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k 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 University of California - Santa Barbara
Central Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
CWU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Central Washington University is $17,235 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full CWU Music Theory & Composition Report
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #14 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Cruz
Portland State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Portland State University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $12,964 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Portland State University
Washington State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Wazzu is $14,233 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Wazzu
Western Washington University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
WWU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $16,819 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at WWU
University of Redlands ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Redlands is a small school located in Redlands, California that handed out 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $21,947 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Redlands.
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%.
Full University of Redlands Music Theory & Composition Report
Lewis & Clark College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lewis & Clark College is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
Lewis and Clark College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark College is $26,459 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full Lewis and Clark College Music Theory & Composition Report
Biola University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Biola is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Mirada, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $30,789 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Biola University.
The low undergrad 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%.
Full Biola Music Theory & Composition Report
San Francisco Conservatory of Music did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. SFCM is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFCM, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFCM is $45,908 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full SFCM Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #15, Chapman University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chapman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Chapman also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman University is $38,525 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Chapman
With a ranking of #16, California Institute of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. California Institute of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CalArts also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $55,675 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend CalArts.
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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full California Institute of the Arts 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $34,695 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Academy of Art University
Los Angeles Film School ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Film School is $35,062 for far western us region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full LA Film School Music Theory & Composition Report
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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.
