2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in California
Music Theory & Composition degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 23 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 California
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
Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for music theory & composition. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 13 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,976.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Southern California
California Institute Of The Arts is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 27 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $18,373 in their early career. California Institute Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
Get the full music theory & composition details for California Institute Of The Arts
Academy Of Art University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Academy Of Art University awarded about 29 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $34,782. Students borrow a median of $30,949 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Academy Of Art University
Musicians Institute came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of Hollywood, Musicians Institute is a small private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Musicians Institute awarded about 10 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Musicians Institute
Los Angeles Film School is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Los Angeles Film School awarded about 219 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Los Angeles Film School earn around $21,399 in the first couple years of their career. 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
Los Angeles Music Academy came in at #6 for music theory & composition this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 28% of students finish within six years. Los Angeles Music Academy awarded about 12 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $24,059 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,296.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Los Angeles Music Academy
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
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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 · 23 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.
