2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong music theory & composition education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. 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. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for music theory & composition. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $23,620. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $35,849 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Potsdam earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $23,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $22,179 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,569. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #8 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $32,924. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Houghton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,725. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University landed the #11 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $26,943. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Temple University earned the #12 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $20,667. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Five Towns College came in at #13 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $25,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Five Towns College admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Rochester earned the #14 position for value in music theory & composition this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $27,409 early in their careers. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Nazareth College landed the #15 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $44,626. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,625. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #17 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,923 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $18,462. Set against $26,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Ithaca College earned the #19 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $23,119. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
New York University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,000. Music Theory & Composition graduates of New York University earn a median of $28,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University came in at #21 for value in music theory & composition this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $18,574. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
The Juilliard School came in at #22 for value in music theory & composition this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,101. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan School Of Music placed #23 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,050. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #24 position for value in music theory & composition this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The New School generally make around $15,510. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
