Music Theory & Composition is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music theory & composition programs.
College Factual analyzed 213 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music theory & composition schools.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Choosing a Great Music Theory & Composition School
The school you choose for music theory & composition can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Music Theory & Composition Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Music Theory & Composition School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Music Theory & Composition Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Music Theory & Composition Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 64 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of New York University earn a median of $28,287 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 19 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $29,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,397.
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University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,976.
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A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for music theory & composition. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
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Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #5. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 23 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $23,620 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Johns Hopkins University
Florida State University came in at #6 for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 15 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans.
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University Of Miami earned the #7 position for music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $23,991 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,998 to complete this degree.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 16 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for music theory & composition this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 19 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $22,533. Typical student debt for the program is $23,946.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #10 among the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 19 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
The New School placed #11 among the best music theory & composition schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 19 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The New School generally make around $15,510. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for The New School
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $27,559 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Suny At Purchase College placed #13 among the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 13 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Suny At Purchase College earn around $22,569 in the first couple years of their career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans.
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Berklee College Of Music placed #14 among the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 234 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Berklee College Of Music in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $21,670 in their early career. Berklee College Of Music graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Berklee College Of Music
California Institute Of The Arts ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. California Institute Of The Arts graduates 67% of students within six years. About 27 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $18,373 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125.
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The Juilliard School placed #16 among the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. The Juilliard School awarded about 18 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,101. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Western Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 15 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Western Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $21,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,025 to complete this degree.
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Manhattan School Of Music earned the #18 position for music theory & composition this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Manhattan School Of Music awarded about 10 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $18,441 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music placed #19 among the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. About 73% of students finish within six years. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 18 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $24,499 in their early career. The New England Conservatory Of Music graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for The New England Conservatory Of Music
Stark State College placed #20 among the best music theory & composition schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. There were roughly 20 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Stark State College in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete this degree.
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Academy Of Art University earned the #21 position for music theory & composition this year. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. About 29 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Academy Of Art University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $34,782. Students borrow a median of $30,949 to complete this degree.
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Musicians Institute landed the #22 spot for music theory & composition this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Musicians Institute in the most recent data year.
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Los Angeles Film School came in at #23 for music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Los Angeles Film School awarded about 219 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Los Angeles Film School earn around $21,399 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree.
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Los Angeles Music Academy earned the #24 position for music theory & composition this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. Los Angeles Music Academy awarded about 12 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Los Angeles Music Academy generally make around $24,059. Typical student debt for the program is $37,296.
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Music Theory & Composition Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Music Theory & Composition. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 213 schools evaluated.
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).
