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Featured Music Theory & Composition Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in New York
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 Hunter College, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $11,091. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $12,157. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Suny At Fredonia, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Potsdam is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $32,924. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #7 for value in music theory & composition this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $22,179. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $22,569 early in their careers. Set against $22,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Houghton College earned the #9 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Five Towns College earned the #10 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Five Towns College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Dix Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $25,554. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #11 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,769 in student loans. 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. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Nazareth College landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,185. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Ithaca College placed #13 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,119 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
New York University earned the #14 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,287. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School placed #15 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University earned the #16 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,574 early in their careers. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #17 for value in music theory & composition this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,050. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $18,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
The New School landed the #18 spot for music theory & composition value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of The New School earn a median of $15,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
