2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Far Western Region
Music Theory & Composition is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music theory & composition programs.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music theory & composition schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the music theory & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for music theory & composition. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from University Of Southern California earn around $23,244 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from University Of Southern California
California Institute Of The Arts is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $18,373. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from California Institute Of The Arts
Academy Of Art University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #3. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Academy Of Art University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $34,782 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,949.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Academy Of Art University
Musicians Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #4. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 10 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Musicians Institute in the most recent 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 #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Los Angeles Film School graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 219 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Film School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Los Angeles Film School generally make around $21,399. Los Angeles Film School graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Los Angeles Film School
Los Angeles Music Academy came in at #6 for music theory & composition this year. Los Angeles Music Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Music Academy in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $24,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $37,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Los Angeles Music Academy
Narrow Music Theory & Composition Schools by State
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 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.
