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2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

27 Ranked Colleges
167 Degrees Awarded
$22,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region 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. 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 $75-$110k” 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 $75-$110k” ranking looked at 27 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the music theory and composition program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. 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. It costs about $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Northwestern University

2

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 $75-$110k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $17,207 for great lakes region 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 96%. 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%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Music Theory & Composition Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Sinclair Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 6 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,355 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Sinclair Community College.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Sinclair Community College

4

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $22,400 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Music Theory & Composition Report

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 22 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $25,297 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Michigan State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Michigan State University

6
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Oberlin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oberlin, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oberlin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oberlin College is $29,172 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Oberlin

7
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $23,746 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

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%. 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.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Music Theory & Composition Report

8

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 $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $20,603 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

9

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $21,575 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 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 $18,135 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Music Theory & Composition Report

11

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 24 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 UC is $24,534 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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

12

With a ranking of #12, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,809 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Full Youngstown State University Music Theory & Composition Report

13
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, Ball State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,563 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ball State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State University

14
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

Roosevelt also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Roosevelt University is $23,724 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Roosevelt University

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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.

WMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $23,726 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Western Michigan University Music Theory & Composition Report

16

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $20,778 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Music Theory & Composition Report

17
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio

With a ranking of #17, Capital University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Capital, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Capital is $20,169 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad 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 Capital

18
Cedarville crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio

With a ranking of #18, Cedarville University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cedarville is a small school located in Cedarville, Ohio 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 $75-$110k list, Cedarville has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cedarville is $23,874 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cedarville University Music Theory & Composition Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $21,662 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Kent State University at Kent Music Theory & Composition Report

20

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $26,039 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Ohio University - Athens Campus

21
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.

Olivet Nazarene also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $21,860 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Olivet Nazarene University

22

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 $75-$110k ranking. Baldwin Wallace University 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $25,022 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Baldwin Wallace College.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Baldwin Wallace College

23
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $33,351 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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 Illinois Wesleyan University

24

Cleveland Institute of Music ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students 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 estimated yearly cost for Cleveland Institute of Music is $33,700 for Great Lakes Region Music Composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Cleveland Institute of Music

25
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k list, Bradley has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $28,192 for great lakes region music composition students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Music Theory & Composition Report

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