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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.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among music theory & composition schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,992. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,932. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $21,504. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $28,187. That is a strong return on a $21,504 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washington State University placed #11 among the best values for music theory & composition. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,503 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $54,697. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $29,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,344 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University placed #13 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $71,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #14 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #15 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for music theory & composition value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $15,520. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #17 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $30,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #18 for value in music theory & composition this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $34,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #19 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $16,971. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #21 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $34,346. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $23,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #23 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Columbus State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Wichita State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music theory & composition value ranking:
Other Music Theory & Composition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Theory & Composition rankings across degree levels:
[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.
