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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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.
