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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Virginia

[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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Virginia

2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools

1

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

$16,173 In-State Tuition & Fees

$27,000 Avg Student Debt

$44,813 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Liberty University the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in Virginia. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

2

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

$36,950 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,500 Avg Student Debt

$58,433 Median Earnings (10yr)

Shenandoah University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. 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. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $62,948 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.

View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 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.