2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in New York
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
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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.
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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.
