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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition

76 Colleges in the United States
310 Master's Degrees
A master's degree in music theory and composition is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #291 out of 1095 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual reviewed 76 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of music theory and composition. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 310 master's degrees in music theory and composition during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Music Theory & Composition School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in music composition matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition ranking.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality music theory and composition program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools

Associate Degrees in Music Composition
Bachelor's Degrees in Music Composition
Doctor's Degrees in Music Composition
Overall Popularity in Music Composition

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for music theory and composition.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in music theory and composition. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

11 Most Well Attended Schools for Music Composition Students Working on Their Master's

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
47 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

New York University is a popular choice for students interested in a master's degree in music theory and composition. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in New York.

There were about 47 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from New York University

2
21 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at California Institute of the Arts if you want to pursue a master's degree in music theory and composition. CalArts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in California.

There were about 21 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at CalArts in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from California Institute of the Arts

3
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
16 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#8 Best Quality In NY

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Brooklyn College if you want to pursue a master's degree in music theory and composition. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Brooklyn College is a public college with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in New York.

There were about 16 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at Brooklyn College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Brooklyn College

4
14 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VT
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Vermont College of Fine Arts is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in music theory and composition. Located in the distant town of Montpelier, VCFA is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were approximately 14 music theory and composition students who graduated with this degree at VCFA in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts

5
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
12 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in California.

There were roughly 12 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Academy of Art University

5
12 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Maryland.

There were about 12 music theory and composition students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Johns Hopkins University

7
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#3 Best Quality In MA

Berklee College of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Boston. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Massachusetts.

There were about 11 music theory and composition students who graduated with this degree at Berklee College of Music in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Berklee College of Music

7
11 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#2 Best Quality In OH

Located in the fringe town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Ohio.

There were roughly 11 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

9
10 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#4 Best Quality In MA

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Longy is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 10 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at Longy in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Longy School of Music of Bard College

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
10 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the city of East Lansing. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Michigan.

There were approximately 10 music theory and composition students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from Michigan State University

9
10 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music theory and composition in Ohio.

There were roughly 10 music theory and composition individuals who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in music theory and composition from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition award.

Rank College Location
12 The New School New York, NY
13 San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA
14 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
14 Manhattan School of Music New York, NY
14 Yale University New Haven, CT
17 The Juilliard School New York, NY
17 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
19 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
19 Boston University Boston, MA

Music Theory & Composition by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Music Theory & Composition is one of 16 different types of Music programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Music Performance 2,269
General Music 1,753
Voice Performance 293
Keyboard Instruments 266
Stringed Instruments 262
Other Music 248
Jazz Studies 168
Conducting 121
Music Pedagogy 101
Woodwind Instruments 62

Notes and References

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