by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Temple University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,000. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Temple University earn a median of $20,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Carnegie Mellon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,431. 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. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for music theory & composition. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,923 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $18,462. That is a strong return on a $26,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.