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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

13 Ranked Colleges
56 Degrees Awarded
$26,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 1,117 people earned their degree in music theory and composition, making the major the 415th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 144 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 56 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music theory and composition. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music theory and composition programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools

The music composition school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree music composition students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 13 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 1 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern University

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 3 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #2 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Music Theory & Composition Report

#3

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

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 Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Music Theory & Composition Report

#4

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Michigan University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 3 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Central Michigan University

#5

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio
#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Youngstown State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Youngstown State University also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Youngstown State University

#6

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music composition students whose families make $0-$30k list, WMU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Western Michigan University

#4 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Full UC Music Theory & Composition Report

#10 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 4 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Full Kent State University at Kent Music Theory & Composition Report

#6 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 11 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at BGSU

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

#8 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#12

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Roosevelt University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Roosevelt University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt University are $21,605, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Roosevelt University Music Theory & Composition Report

#13

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

DePaul also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at DePaul University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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