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2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

20 Ranked Colleges
64 Degrees Awarded
$41,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in music theory and composition. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music theory and composition programs and 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.

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 Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid”.

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. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music Theory & Composition (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid. Stanford, California 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 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed 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 more about Music Theory & Composition at Stanford

#1 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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State University Music Theory & Composition Report

#4

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #7 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 Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Rice University

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music composition degrees to 3 students 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 University in the City of New York are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Music Theory & Composition Report

#6

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York
#15 in overall quality

University at Buffalo came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students with aid list, University at Buffalo has also earned the #15 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 at Buffalo are $26,028.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at University at Buffalo

#7

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Johns Hopkins University

#16 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full UMKC Music Theory & Composition Report

#9

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#14 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. UO is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UO, the school also landed the #14 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 University of Oregon are $29,991.

Full UO Music Theory & Composition Report

#10

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Music Theory & Composition Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

UC also made our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#12

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666.

Read full report on Music Theory & Composition at Boston U

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at Kent State

#14

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, New York
#20 in overall quality

Five Towns College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Five Towns College is a small private for-profit school situated in Dix Hills, New York. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music composition 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.

Full Five Towns College Music Theory & Composition Report

#15

University of Rochester

Rochester, New York
#2 in overall quality

University of Rochester did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Rochester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rochester are $50,505, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Rochester Music Theory & Composition Report

#16

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#10 in overall quality

University of Miami came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. U Miami is a private not-for-profit institution located in Coral Gables, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music composition students with aid list, U Miami has also earned the #10 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 U Miami are $40,220.

Full University of Miami Music Theory & Composition Report

#17

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took 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 University of Southern California are $48,715.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at USC

#18

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

Brandeis University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music composition degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. 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

#19

Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York
#13 in overall quality

Manhattan School of Music came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Composition Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in New York, New York, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

Manhattan School of Music did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Manhattan School of Music are $49,270, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Manhattan School of Music 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Valencia, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music composition students in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #17 spot in our “Best Music Theory & Composition Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music Theory & Composition at CalArts

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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