2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Illinois

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Illinois
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 University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in Illinois. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,625. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Roosevelt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,750. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $29,974 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $19,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $24,556 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,540. That is a strong return on a $24,556 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $18,166. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $28,057. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #6 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $23,334 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,885 early in their careers. Set against $23,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.