2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Illinois
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Music Theory & Composition Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Millikin University tops our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,996. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $21,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $29,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Columbia College Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $19,943. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,556. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,540. That is a strong return on a $24,556 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #6 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $28,057. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
