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2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

27 Ranked Colleges
167 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 27 colleges that offer a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $917 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Northwestern Music Theory & Composition Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $5,670 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at U-M

3

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

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 estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $8,036 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at UIUC

4
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oberlin College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oberlin College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oberlin, Ohio. It awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Oberlin has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,745 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oberlin.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 Oberlin Music Theory & Composition Report

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 22 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $15,170 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Michigan State

6

With a ranking of #6, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

7

Sinclair Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 6 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,227 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Sinclair Community College

8
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Ball State

9
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $18,519 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Wheaton College Illinois

10

With a ranking of #10, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,972 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Youngstown State University

11
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $12,346 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Central Michigan University

12
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, WMU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,552 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Western Michigan University

13

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BGSU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 12 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, BGSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,822 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BGSU.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at BGSU

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 24 ’s music composition degrees 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 $15,966 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UC

15
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio

Cedarville University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Cedarville, Ohio, and it awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cedarville has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,961 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cedarville.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Cedarville University

16

Kent State University at Kent landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k list, Kent State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $15,021 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Kent State

17

With a ranking of #17, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $15,510 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Akron Main Campus

18
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Olivet Nazarene University is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

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. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $15,658 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Olivet Nazarene University

19

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 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. It costs about $18,991 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at OHIO Athens

20
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Roosevelt University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt University is $19,320 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Roosevelt

21
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bradley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bradley, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,753 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Bradley

22

Baldwin Wallace University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Baldwin Wallace College is a small school located in Berea, Ohio that handed out 7 ’s music composition degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend Baldwin Wallace University is $19,525 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Baldwin Wallace University

23
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bloomington, Illinois. It awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois Wesleyan also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,876 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Illinois Wesleyan University Music Theory & Composition Report

24
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio

Capital University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Capital University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Capital also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $21,198 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Capital.

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

25
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

DePaul also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $27,252 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at DePaul University

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