2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong music theory & composition education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Youngstown State University earned the #1 spot for value among music theory & composition schools in the Great Lakes Region. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,373. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $34,657. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $19,397. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,996. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $21,138. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $41,256. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Stark State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for music theory & composition. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #7 among the best values for music theory & composition. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,518. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. 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 $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #9 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,975 to complete the music theory & composition program here. 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. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $27,361 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #12 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. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $34,193 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University earned the #13 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $40,570. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #14 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Roosevelt University placed #16 among the best values for music theory & composition. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,750. 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. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,946 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $22,533 early in their careers. Set against $23,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University came in at #18 for value in music theory & composition this year. 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 $46,516. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lawrence University came in at #19 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,982 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.
Cedarville University came in at #20 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #21 for value in music theory & composition this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $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 placed #22 among the best values for music theory & composition. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. 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. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,540. Set against $24,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $18,166. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #24 among the best values for music theory & composition. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #25 for value in music theory & composition this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music theory & composition this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
