2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Minnesota
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Minnesota
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
University Of Minnesota Duluth tops our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music theory & composition schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the music theory & composition program here. Early-career music theory & composition graduates make about $24,732. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music theory & composition will find it at Concordia College At Moorhead, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
