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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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

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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered a degree in music theory and composition. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music theory and composition programs, but they also 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

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 13 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 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 Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Central Michigan

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Youngstown State University

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#3 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music composition students whose families make $48-$75k list, Michigan State has also earned the #3 rank 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.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Michigan State

#6 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music composition degrees to 11 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

#4 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 10 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #4 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 UC are $26,644.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus 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 $48-$75k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 4 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Kent State University at Kent

#9

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, 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 $48-$75k list. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 4 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at WMU

#12 in overall quality

University of Akron 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 1 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 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 University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

#11

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Roosevelt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Roosevelt University Music Theory & Composition Report

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. OHIO Athens 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 also took the #8 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 OHIO Athens are $17,712.

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

#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 $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full DePaul University Music Theory & Composition Report

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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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