2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 78 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $13,303. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $10,492. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,016. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $16,971. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $15,520. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rice University placed #7 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #8 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,089. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $32,932. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,344 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $29,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in music theory & composition this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $23,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $16,481. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,504 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $28,187. That is a strong return on a $21,504 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #14 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $50,039. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wichita State University came in at #16 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Idaho earned the #18 position for value in music theory & composition this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #19 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,062. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $34,253. Set against $25,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Columbus State University earned the #23 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
West Virginia University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $29,946. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music theory & composition this year:
Other Music Theory & Composition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Theory & Composition rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.
