2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Washington
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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Featured Music Theory & Composition Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Washington State University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,503. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $24,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,556. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Western Washington University, which ranked #4. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $20,055. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $15,834. Set against $20,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $34,408. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
