2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Associate’s Degree Schools
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in the United States. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Los Angeles Film School one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Los Angeles Film School generally make around $21,399. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Los Angeles Music Academy earned it the #3 place for music theory & composition. Los Angeles Music Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $29,190 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $37,296 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Los Angeles Music Academy earn a median of $24,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,296 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Musicians Institute, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Hollywood, Musicians Institute is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,414. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,778 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Other Music Theory & Composition Degree Levels
Explore the best-value music theory & composition schools at other degree levels:
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
