2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
27
Ranked Colleges
167
Degrees Awarded
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 $48-$75k” 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.
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. 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 $48-$75k” 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. 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 $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern University
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 $48-$75k. 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.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,481 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at U-M
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $11,505 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full UIUC Music Theory & Composition Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
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%. 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 Ohio State
Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students 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. It costs about $20,557 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State University.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Michigan State
With a ranking of #6, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,283 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sinclair Community College.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Sinclair Community College
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s music composition 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 $18,373 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Wheaton College Illinois
Oberlin College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oberlin College is a small school located in Oberlin, Ohio that handed out 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oberlin has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oberlin College is $21,401 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 College Music Theory & Composition Report
Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,158 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k 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%.
Full Ball State University Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #10, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $15,720 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full Central Michigan Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #11, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
UC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,867 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, BGSU has also earned the #11 rank 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 $18,606 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at BGSU
Youngstown State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $13,754 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Youngstown State University
With a ranking of #14, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 $48-$75k list, WMU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,840 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at WMU
Cedarville University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cedarville, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Cedarville also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Cedarville University is $19,056 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 Cedarville
Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Roosevelt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Roosevelt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt is $21,280 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Roosevelt
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 1 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Olivet Nazarene has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,206 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.
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%.
Full Olivet Nazarene University Music Theory & Composition Report
University of Akron Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 $48-$75k 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. It costs about $18,860 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Akron Main Campus
With a ranking of #19, Capital University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Capital University is a small school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 1 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Capital also took the #16 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Capital University is $19,203 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full Capital Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #20, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,509 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OHIO Athens.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at OHIO Athens
Kent State University at Kent landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students 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 University at Kent is $19,508 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Kent State University at Kent
Baldwin Wallace University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Baldwin Wallace College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berea, Ohio. It awarded 7 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Baldwin Wallace College also took the #21 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,997 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Baldwin Wallace College.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Baldwin Wallace University
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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
Illinois Wesleyan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $31,095 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Illinois Wesleyan Music Theory & Composition Report
Bradley University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 1 ’s music composition 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 $23,286 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Bradley
With a ranking of #25, Cleveland Institute of Music did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cleveland Institute of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Cleveland Institute of Music did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Institute of Music is $29,867 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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 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 full report on Music Theory & Composition at Cleveland Institute of Music
college factual
