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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 New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music theory & composition education in New York.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in music theory & composition. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from New York University earn around $28,287 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at New York University
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. About 54% of students finish within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 19 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Cuny Brooklyn College
The New School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school 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. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full music theory & composition details 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 #4. 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. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $22,569 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,179.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Suny At Purchase College
A rank of #5 makes The Juilliard School one of the top schools for music theory & composition. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 18 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at The Juilliard School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $14,101 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. 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. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $18,441 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Manhattan School Of Music
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 22 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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