by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bob Jones University earned the #1 spot for value among music theory & composition schools in South Carolina. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $40,538. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $53,623. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $20,830. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $36,520. That is a strong return on a $20,830 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.