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.
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Featured Music Theory & Composition Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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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
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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.
