2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Ohio
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Stark State College tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in Ohio. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $17,349. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for music theory & composition. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,209. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,062. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $35,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for music theory & composition. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $34,193. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Capital University placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $33,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,946 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,533. Set against $23,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #10 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Oberlin College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,200 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $17,141. That is a strong return on a $26,200 median debt. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
