2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in Ohio
Music Theory & Composition programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music theory & composition students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music theory & composition education in Ohio.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
Leading the list is University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, our #1 school for music theory & composition. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $22,533. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans.
See the full music theory & composition program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the top schools for music theory & composition. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 11 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Stark State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. There were roughly 20 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Stark State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $42,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,349.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Stark State College
More Music Theory & Composition Rankings
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 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.
