2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the New England Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the New England 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
University Of Southern Maine tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in the New England Region. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,593. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Western Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,025. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $21,659. That is a strong return on a $26,025 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Keene State College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Yale University earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,957. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Hartford came in at #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $26,775 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College placed #7 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,815 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $29,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College earned the #8 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,275. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $30,660.
The New England Conservatory Of Music placed #9 among the best values for music theory & composition. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Berklee College Of Music placed #10 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,040. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,979. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Berklee College Of Music generally make around $21,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.