Music Theory & Composition degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for music theory & composition students.
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
We offer several rankings, including this Best Music Theory & Composition Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than New York University this year for music theory & composition. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 67 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,287. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for New York University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 20 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $23,620. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Johns Hopkins University
Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans.
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Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 11 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Boston University earn around $30,982 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,957.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Boston University
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 15 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $26,311 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Florida State University
University Of Southern California came in at #7 for music theory & composition 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 12 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $23,244 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,976.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Southern California
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #8 spot for music theory & composition this year. This large public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 18 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,303.
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University Of Redlands earned the #9 position for music theory & composition this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Redlands
University Of Miami earned the #10 position for music theory & composition this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $23,991. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Miami
University Of Oregon earned the #11 position for music theory & composition this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $20,707 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,583 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Oregon
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #12 position for music theory & composition this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 10 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,089.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 20 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
The New School placed #14 among the best music theory & composition schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $15,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at The New School
University Of Rochester landed the #15 spot for music theory & composition this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 12 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $27,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete this degree.
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Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for music theory & composition this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 11 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,559 early in their careers. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Berklee College Of Music placed #17 among the best music theory & composition schools. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Berklee College Of Music graduates 67% of students within six years. Berklee College Of Music awarded about 227 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $21,670 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,979.
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Suny At Purchase College came in at #18 for music theory & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $22,569 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,179.
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California Institute Of The Arts ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. California Institute Of The Arts graduates 67% of students within six years. About 32 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $18,373 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
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The Juilliard School ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The Juilliard School awarded about 10 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from The Juilliard School
Western Connecticut State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Danbury. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Western Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $21,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,025 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Western Connecticut State University
El Centro College earned the #22 position for music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from El Centro College earn around $41,295 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,557.
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Manhattan School Of Music landed the #23 spot for music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $18,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #24 spot for music theory & composition this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 73% of students finish within six years. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 23 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from The New England Conservatory Of Music earn around $24,499 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,991.
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Stark State College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. About 16 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Stark State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Stark State College earn around $42,724 in the first couple years of their career. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Stark State College
Rest of the Top 28 Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music theory & composition ranking:
Music Theory & Composition Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Music Theory & Composition. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 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).
