2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $19,429. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for music theory & composition. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $22,125 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,272. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $16,481. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in music theory & composition this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #8 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,089. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,315. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,344 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $15,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $13,128. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. 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. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $15,670. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #13 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Valley City State University landed the #14 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,074. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for music theory & composition. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,504 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $15,721. Set against $21,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #17 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #18 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $31,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #19 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $36,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #21 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,846. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $17,638. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #22 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #23 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,625. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Idaho landed the #24 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $43,246. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music theory & composition this year:
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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 123 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.
