2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
27
Ranked Colleges
167
Degrees Awarded
$12,500
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 1,175 people earned their degree in music theory and composition, making the major the 390th most popular in the United States.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 167 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music theory and composition. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music theory and composition programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $245 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at U-M
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 22 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Michigan State Music Theory & Composition Report
Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oberlin College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oberlin, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
Oberlin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oberlin is $8,756 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Oberlin College
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ball State University
With a ranking of #8, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sinclair Community College is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $3,594 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Sinclair Community College
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
WMU also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $13,112 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Western Michigan University
With a ranking of #11, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $15,933 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Wheaton College Illinois
Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,175 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Youngstown State University.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Youngstown State University
Central Michigan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,805 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Michigan.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Central Michigan
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
BGSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,079 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Kent State University at Kent
Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
OHIO Athens also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for OHIO Athens is $17,614 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ohio University - Athens Campus
University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Akron Main Campus has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $14,420 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Akron Main Campus
Cedarville University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cedarville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cedarville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,439 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cedarville University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Cedarville University
Cleveland Institute of Music landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cleveland Institute of Music has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Institute of Music is $20,169 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Cleveland Institute of Music Music Theory & Composition Report
Bradley University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Bradley also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $16,588 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Bradley Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #21, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.
Illinois Wesleyan also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan is $19,286 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Illinois Wesleyan University
Baldwin Wallace University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Berea, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
Baldwin Wallace College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,190 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Baldwin Wallace University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Baldwin Wallace University
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,451 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Olivet Nazarene University
Roosevelt University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Roosevelt also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt is $20,854 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Roosevelt University
Capital University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Capital, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Capital is $19,970 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Capital University
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