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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Maryland

[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 2 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Maryland

2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

$64,730 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,250 Avg Student Debt

$87,555 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in Maryland. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. 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%.

2

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

$13,256 In-State Tuition & Fees

$29,000 Avg Student Debt

$69,960 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore County one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $29,000. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >

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 · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.