2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Tennessee
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong music theory & composition education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Tennessee
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
For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat Vanderbilt University this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. 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 Lee University, which ranked #2. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Belmont University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,988. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $27,517. That is a strong return on a $25,988 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
