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.
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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 Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
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%.
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.
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
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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.
