Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Music Theory & Composition

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

20 Ranked Colleges
64 Degrees Awarded
$41,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Music Theory & Composition is the 415th most popular major in the country with 1,117 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 64 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college 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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford Music Theory & Composition Report

#1 in overall quality

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Music Theory & Composition Report

#3

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Johns Hopkins

#4

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Rice has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Rice

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Columbia

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

Florida State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Florida State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#7

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston University Music Theory & Composition Report

#8

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#2 in overall quality

University of Rochester ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Rochester has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rochester are $50,505, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Rochester Music Theory & Composition Report

#9

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

USC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at USC

#10

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, UO has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Oregon

#11

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Cruz

#12

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#16 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#13

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Brandeis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Waltham, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Brandeis also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis University are $52,060, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brandeis University Music Theory & Composition Report

#14

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#15 in overall quality

University at Buffalo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

University at Buffalo also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UC

#16

Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York
#13 in overall quality

Manhattan School of Music landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Manhattan School of Music is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Manhattan School of Music not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Manhattan School of Music are $49,270, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Manhattan School of Music

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Kent State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 Music Theory & Composition Report

#18

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, New York
#20 in overall quality

Five Towns College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Five Towns College is a private for-profit institution located in Dix Hills, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Five Towns College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Five Towns College are $25,370, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Five Towns College

#19

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#10 in overall quality

University of Miami landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Coral Gables, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

U Miami also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U Miami are $40,220, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U Miami Music Theory & Composition Report

#20

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#17 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California Institute of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California Institute of the Arts Music Theory & Composition Report

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.

Featured Performing Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You