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2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)

19 Ranked Colleges
223 Degrees Awarded
$27,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Music Theory & Composition is the 390th most popular major in the country with 1,175 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 223 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 Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)

1
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brooklyn College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region music composition students with aid list, Brooklyn College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brooklyn College is $3,067 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Brooklyn College Music Theory & Composition Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

Columbia also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Columbia University in the City of New York is $22,823 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Music Theory & Composition Report

3
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend SUNY Fredonia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fredonia, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

SUNY Fredonia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Fredonia is $14,378 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at SUNY Fredonia

4
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University at Buffalo landed the #4 spot on the list. Buffalo, New York 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.

University at Buffalo also took the #16 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University at Buffalo is $19,262 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo

5

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - Baltimore County landed the #5 spot on the list. UMBC is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UMBC also took the #21 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - Baltimore County is $19,460 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at UMBC

6
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York

Purchase College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Purchase, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Purchase College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purchase College is $17,701 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Purchase College

7
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple is $23,888 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Temple University

8
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 21 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Johns Hopkins is $23,428 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Johns Hopkins

9
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon University is $36,775 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Music Theory & Composition Report

10
University of Rochester crest
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

University of Rochester landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rochester, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Rochester, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Rochester is $31,340 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 University of Rochester

11
Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, New York

The Juilliard School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 13 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region music composition students with aid list, Juilliard has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The Juilliard School is $37,537 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 The Juilliard School

12
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Rider University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rider, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rider is $27,882 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Rider Music Theory & Composition Report

13
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York

Ithaca College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ithaca College is a medium-sized school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 11 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ithaca, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $34,554 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid per year to attend Ithaca.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ithaca

14
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. New York University is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

NYU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend NYU is $38,569 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at New York University

15
CUA crest
Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia

Catholic University of America landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Catholic University of America is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CUA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CUA is $34,684 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Catholic University of America

16
Nazareth crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, New York

Nazareth College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Nazareth is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rochester, New York. It awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region music composition students with aid list, Nazareth has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $31,108 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid per year to attend Nazareth.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Nazareth College

17
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Syracuse, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Syracuse also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $34,683 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid per year to attend Syracuse.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Syracuse University

18
Manhattan School of Music crest
Manhattan School of Music
New York, New York

With a ranking of #18, Manhattan School of Music did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Manhattan School of Music is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Manhattan School of Music, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $19,111 for middle atlantic region music composition students with aid per year to attend Manhattan School of Music.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Manhattan School of Music

19
New School University crest
The New School
New York, New York

The New School ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. The New School is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 17 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

New School University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $44,430 for Middle Atlantic Region Music Composition students with aid per year to attend The New School.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at The New School

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