2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the New England 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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 the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern Maine the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in the New England Region. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,025 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $21,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,025 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Keene State College one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,185. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,957 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yale University earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $21,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Hartford earned the #6 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,775. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,262. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,815. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The New England Conservatory Of Music ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,750. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $24,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College landed the #9 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $55,275. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Longy School Of Music Of Bard College earn a median of $30,660 early in their careers.
Berklee College Of Music earned the #10 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $52,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,979 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Berklee College Of Music generally make around $21,670. That is a strong return on a $24,979 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
