by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Music Theory & Composition explores Music Theory And Composition. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The Principles Of Sound Manipulation As Applied To The Creation Of Music, And The Techniques Of Creating And Arranging Music. Includes Instruction In Aural Theory, Melody, Counterpoint, Complex Harmony, Modulation, Chromatics, Improvisation, Progressions, Musical Writing, Instrumentation, Orchestration, Electronic And Computer Applications, Studies Of Specific Musical Styles, And Development Of Original Creative Ability. Read on to learn the essential details every music theory & composition major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering music theory & composition programs.
Nationwide, music theory & composition is a widely-pursued major, with 1,336 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools ranking analyzes these 147 schools to determine the best overall colleges for music theory & composition students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of music theory & composition programs later in this article.
Coursework for Music Theory & Composition develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations music theory & composition graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a music theory & composition program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a music theory & composition major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several music theory & composition degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 133 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 782 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 337 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 78 |
People currently working in careers related to music theory & composition tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in music theory & composition careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in music theory & composition opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to music theory & composition.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to music theory & composition.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Music Directors and Composers | 180,947 | 6.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of music theory & composition graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,248 |
| 4 years | $35,586 |
| 5 years | $40,828 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for music theory & composition graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers music theory & composition grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composers | $66,915 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 147 different music theory & composition programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased music theory & composition school rankings to help you.
Students interested in music theory & composition, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music, General | 10,690 |
| Music Performance, General | 7,193 |
| Music Technology | 1,938 |
| Music, Other | 1,141 |
| Voice and Opera | 668 |
| Stringed Instruments | 589 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 534 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 523 |
| Music Pedagogy | 385 |
| Conducting | 180 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
