Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Music Theory & Composition

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k)

20 Ranked Colleges
64 Degrees Awarded
$41,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate 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.

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 $75-$110k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Music Theory & Composition Schools

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Stanford University

#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 $75-$110k. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, Florida State has also earned the #9 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 Florida State are $26,707.

Full Florida State University Music Theory & Composition Report

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Music Theory & Composition Report

#5

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 #5 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k 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.

Full Johns Hopkins Music Theory & Composition Report

#6

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Rice University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Rice University is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, Rice has also earned the #7 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 Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Rice

#7

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University at Buffalo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Buffalo, New York, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, University at Buffalo has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#2 in overall quality

University of Rochester ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Rochester, New York 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 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k 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

#10

Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York
#13 in overall quality

Manhattan School of Music ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. New York, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Manhattan School of Music, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Manhattan School of Music

#11

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Brandeis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full Brandeis University Music Theory & Composition Report

#12

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

University of Oregon did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #14 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UO Music Theory & Composition Report

#13

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Boston U also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Boston University

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Santa Cruz

#12 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC has also earned the #12 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 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at UC

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #4 spot 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 USC are $48,715.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at USC

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot 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 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 landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Five Towns College

#19

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Miami did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Coral Gables, Florida. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees 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 $75-$110k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CalArts, the school also landed the #17 spot 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 CalArts are $53,466.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at California Institute of the Arts

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