2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music theory & composition schools.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
University Of Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among music theory & composition schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. 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 $30,191. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #2 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of Montana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Boise State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,311. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Denver earned it the #5 place for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,250. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $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), 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
