2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the The Plains States 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong music theory & composition education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best value for a degree in music theory & composition in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,144. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,262. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at University Of Minnesota Duluth, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,427 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $31,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at St Olaf College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $23,750. Music Theory & Composition graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #6 position for value in music theory & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University came in at #7 for value in music theory & composition this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Narrow Music Theory & Composition Schools by State
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
