2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Texas
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 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 Texas
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 Texas. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. 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. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #4 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $39,571. That is a strong return on a $27,816 median debt. Roughly 73% 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. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $33,937. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Christian University came in at #6 for value in music theory & composition this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,500. 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 ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. 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. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $18,417. 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 ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
