2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music theory & composition education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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Finding the Best Value Music Theory & Composition School for You
The music theory & composition program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat Stanford University this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $13,303. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes El Centro College one of the best values for music theory & composition. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $12,157. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $45,488. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #8 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #9 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for music theory & composition value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,144. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #11 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,119. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $21,504. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $26,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia landed the #15 spot for music theory & composition value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $22,344. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $24,514 early in their careers. Set against $22,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #16 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $26,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University earned the #17 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,503. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,456. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $36,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $34,657. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Millikin University came in at #20 for value in music theory & composition this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $21,138. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Central Washington University came in at #21 for value in music theory & composition this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,556. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #22 position for value in music theory & composition this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $19,397. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $41,256. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #24 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #25 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music theory & composition:
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Music Theory & Composition is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 213 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
