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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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.
