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2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Missouri

[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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music theory & composition students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Missouri

2026 Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Missouri

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

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

$13,371 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,089 Avg Student Debt

$59,637 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in music theory & composition, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

2

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

$31,750 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,939 Avg Student Debt

$50,876 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Webster University earned it the #2 place for music theory & composition. 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. Typical student debt for music theory & composition graduates is $25,939. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.