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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k) in the Far Western US Region

21 Ranked Colleges
115 Degrees Awarded
$29,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k

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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 Far Western US region, there were 295 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 115 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered 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. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 21 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k) in the Far Western US Region

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $18,110 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $19,590 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 students.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UCLA

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $22,226 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSB Music Theory & Composition Report

#4

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#20 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Portland State University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Portland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $17,077 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#5

Northwest University

Kirkland, Washington
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Northwest University is located in Kirkland, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Northwest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest University is $22,135 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Northwest University

#6

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#9 in overall quality

Western Washington University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Western Washington University is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, WWU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $21,213 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Western Washington University

#7

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

CWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $20,133 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Central Washington University.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Central Washington University

#8

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#17 in overall quality

Washington State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, Wazzu has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $22,090 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wazzu Music Theory & Composition Report

#9

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#10 in overall quality

University of Redlands landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Redlands is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Redlands, California. It awarded 3 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Redlands did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $27,920 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Redlands.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#10

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $30,858 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Southern California

#11

Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington
#13 in overall quality

Whitman College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Whitman also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Whitman is $33,017 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Whitman College

#12

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#15 in overall quality

University of the Pacific did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Stockton, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Pacific also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $30,956 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of the Pacific.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of the Pacific

#13

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

San Francisco Conservatory of Music ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 2 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFCM, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco Conservatory of Music is $39,757 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Francisco Conservatory of Music Music Theory & Composition Report

#14

Biola University

La Mirada, California
#12 in overall quality

Biola University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Biola also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Biola is $32,123 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Biola University

#15

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

Lewis & Clark College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Portland, Oregon, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Lewis and Clark College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark College is $35,626 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Lewis & Clark College

#16

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
#6 in overall quality

Pepperdine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Pepperdine is located in Malibu, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 bachelors’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

Pepperdine also took the #6 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $33,611 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Pepperdine.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 85%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Pepperdine

#17

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, PLNU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Point Loma Nazarene University is $33,138 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Point Loma Nazarene University

#18

Chapman University

Orange, California
#5 in overall quality

Chapman University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Chapman also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Chapman University is $37,848 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Chapman

#19

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California
#8 in overall quality

California Institute of the Arts ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. California Institute of the Arts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CalArts, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $53,382 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California Institute of the Arts.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at CalArts

#20

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $36,626 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Academy of Art University.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Academy of Art University

#21

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, California
#21 in overall quality

Los Angeles Film School ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. LA Film School is a private for-profit institution located in Hollywood, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LA Film School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Film School is $33,686 for far western us region bachelor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at LA Film School

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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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