2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southwest 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
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Rice University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $11,904. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, 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 $26,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for music theory & composition. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $36,763. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at University Of Central Oklahoma, which ranked #5. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #6 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $39,571. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $33,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City University earned the #8 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,754. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $26,456. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $22,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas Christian University placed #9 among the best values for music theory & composition. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #10 for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $18,417 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $26,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,417 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $10,210. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
