2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southeast 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among music theory & composition schools in the Southeast Region. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,311. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $24,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at West Virginia University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,000. Music Theory & Composition graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Columbus State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #8 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $30,818 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University earned the #9 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,410 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,548 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,839. Set against $26,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #11 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $53,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bob Jones University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $20,497. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Alabama placed #13 among the best values for music theory & composition. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,675 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #14 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,440. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,899. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $48,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University landed the #15 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jacksonville University placed #16 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $72,608. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University earned the #17 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Students borrow a median of $20,830 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $36,520. Set against $20,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
Shenandoah University earned the #18 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,500. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $62,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University earned the #19 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $21,039. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University came in at #20 for value in music theory & composition this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,988. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $27,517. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami earned the #21 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $13,998. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,998 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Lynn University placed #22 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,480 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $50,569 early in their careers. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
