2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for music theory & composition. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Stark State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $17,349. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,062. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $35,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in music theory & composition this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $27,361. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #8 for value in music theory & composition this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $40,570. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #10 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $34,193. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $24,340. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Roosevelt University earned the #13 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $29,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Capital University placed #14 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $33,143. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence University earned the #15 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,982. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $19,000. Median earnings reach $55,789 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cedarville University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,533. That is a strong return on a $23,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #19 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $19,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #20 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Students borrow a median of $24,556 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $26,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #22 among the best values for music theory & composition. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $28,057. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,334. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,885 early in their careers. Set against $23,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Butler University came in at #24 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $68,222. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College placed #25 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,200. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $17,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
