2026 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 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $11,091. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music theory & composition. 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. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $19,429. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $16,481. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $15,670. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #9 for value in music theory & composition 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,089. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $22,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $22,125 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #11 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $22,344. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $15,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #13 spot for music theory & composition value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $21,504 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #15 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $31,450 early in their careers. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #16 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,373. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $34,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washington State University placed #17 among the best values for music theory & composition. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Millikin University came in at #18 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. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $21,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $41,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #21 spot for music theory & composition value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #22 for value in music theory & composition this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,460 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #23 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,593. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Idaho came in at #24 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,844. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $30,191. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Central Washington University landed the #25 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $25,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music theory & composition value ranking:
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), 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 91 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.
