2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income Over $110k) in the Far Western US Region
18
Ranked Colleges
375
Degrees Awarded
$35,400
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Music Theory & Composition is the 390th most popular major in the country with 1,175 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 375 music theory and composition graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 18 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k”.
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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
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Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (Income Over $110k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Music Theory & Composition Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Washington University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k. Central Washington University is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 5 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, CWU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $16,514 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Central Washington University Music Theory & Composition Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,023 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Oregon landed the #4 spot on the list. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, UO has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $18,047 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UO.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University of Oregon
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Washington University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WWU is $17,070 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $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%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at WWU
Portland State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Portland State University is a large public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 3 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Portland State University also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $12,498 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
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%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Portland State University
Washington State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,300 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Wazzu.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Wazzu
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 California - Santa Cruz Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #10, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Redlands, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Redlands is $26,098 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k.
The low undergrad 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 full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Redlands
Biola University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Biola University is a medium-sized school located in La Mirada, California that handed out 4 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Biola did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Biola University is $33,269 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $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 full report on Music Theory & Composition at Biola
San Francisco Conservatory of Music came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, SFCM has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $39,165 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full San Francisco Conservatory of Music Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #13, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 32 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
Academy of Art University also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $36,143 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Academy of Art University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Academy of Art University Music Theory & Composition Report
University of Southern California landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music composition degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, USC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $32,569 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend USC.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Southern California Music Theory & Composition Report
Chapman University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Chapman is a medium-sized school located in Orange, California that handed out 2 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, Chapman has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chapman is $44,198 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Chapman
With a ranking of #16, Lewis & Clark College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Lewis and Clark College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k list, Lewis and Clark College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lewis & Clark College is $36,638 for far western us region music composition students whose families make more than $110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Lewis & Clark College
With a ranking of #17, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Los Angeles Film School is a medium-sized school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 181 ’s music composition degrees in 2020-2021.
LA Film School also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Los Angeles Film School is $32,723 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k.
Full Los Angeles Film School Music Theory & Composition Report
With a ranking of #18, California Institute of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Music Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Valencia, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s music composition students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CalArts, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $56,876 for Far Western US Region Music Composition students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend CalArts.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CalArts 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
- *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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