2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Music Theory & Composition](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-composition/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $23,620. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #5 makes Suny At Fredonia one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $35,849 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam came in at #6 for value in music theory & composition this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $32,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $23,991. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College placed #10 among the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $22,179. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,569. Set against $22,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for music theory & composition value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Houghton College landed the #12 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,430. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houghton College admits about 89% of applicants.
Rider University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Rider University earn a median of $26,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Five Towns College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,750. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Five Towns College earn a median of $25,554 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Five Towns College admits about 54% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $20,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester earned the #16 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,769. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $27,409. That is a strong return on a $26,769 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Nazareth College earned the #17 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #18 among the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,659. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $28,212. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne generally make around $40,120. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne admits about 88% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #19 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America earned the #21 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
Ithaca College landed the #22 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $23,119. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
New York University earned the #23 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,000. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $28,287. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School came in at #24 for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The Juilliard School admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #25 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music theory & composition this year:
Narrow Music Theory & Composition Schools by State
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
