2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Leading the list is University Of Idaho, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $16,500. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Montana one of the best values for music theory & composition. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Denver one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $23,403. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.