2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southwest 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for music theory & composition in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $26,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for music theory & composition. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $36,763. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $33,937. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #7 among the best values for music theory & composition. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $39,571. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Oklahoma City University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,456 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $22,203 early in their careers. Set against $26,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oral Roberts University landed the #9 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $28,022. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $19,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,022 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas Christian University earned the #10 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $60,035. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University earned the #11 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University came in at #12 for value in music theory & composition this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $10,210. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
