2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Massachusetts
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
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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 Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Boston University tops our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,957 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The New England Conservatory Of Music earned it the #2 place 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. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
A rank of #3 makes Longy School Of Music Of Bard College one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berklee College Of Music earned it the #4 place for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,040 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Berklee College Of Music earn a median of $21,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,979 median debt. Berklee College Of Music admits about 44% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
