2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Associate’s Degree Schools
Music Theory & Composition programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music theory & composition programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 213 schools to find the best for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the United States
Below are the best music theory & composition schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
Musicians Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music theory & composition. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. About 47% of students finish within six years. Musicians Institute awarded about 10 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Musicians Institute
Los Angeles Film School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Hollywood. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Los Angeles Film School awarded about 105 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Los Angeles Film School generally make around $21,399. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Los Angeles Film School
Other Music Theory & Composition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Music Theory & Composition rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 213 schools evaluated.
- 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.
