2027 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best music theory & composition schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the Great Lakes 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
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 school for music theory & composition. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $29,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,397.
Get the full music theory & composition details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 17 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $40,570 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Michigan State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 20 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $22,533. Typical student debt for the program is $23,946.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 11 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $27,559 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Stark State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of North Canton. Stark State College awarded about 16 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Stark State College earn around $42,724 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Stark State College
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), 2027 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 · 5 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.
