2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music theory & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools
Valley City State University tops our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,074. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. 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 Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,144. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Iowa earned it the #4 place for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $24,427. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $31,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
St Olaf College landed the #6 spot for music theory & composition value this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $24,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #7 among the best values for music theory & composition. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Music Theory & Composition graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $44,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
