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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.
Learn More
Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
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. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 64 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,287. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from New York University
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top schools for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 23 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Johns Hopkins University
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $16,996 in the first couple years of their career. 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 is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from The New School earn around $15,510 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full music theory & composition program report for The New School
Suny At Purchase College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #5. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $22,179 to complete this degree.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Suny At Purchase College
The Juilliard School earned the #6 position for music theory & composition this year. 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. The Juilliard School graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full music theory & composition details for The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #7 for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. Manhattan School Of Music graduates 78% of students within six years. About 10 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Manhattan School Of Music
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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