2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Master’s Degree Schools
Music Theory & Composition degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 213 schools to find the best for music theory & composition students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in music theory & composition, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
No school ranked higher than New York University this year for music theory & composition. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $32,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full music theory & composition details for New York University
Students looking for a strong music theory & composition program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 10 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from University Of Miami earn around $25,623 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,998 to complete this degree.
Get the full music theory & composition details for University Of Miami
Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 12 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $42,484. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Michigan State University
Students looking for a strong music theory & composition program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $30,761 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Johns Hopkins University
The New School came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music theory & composition schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $18,911 in their early career. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from The New School
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 16 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Cuny Brooklyn College
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for music theory & composition this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $34,486 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Berklee College Of Music placed #8 among the best music theory & composition schools. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Berklee College Of Music awarded about 25 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Berklee College Of Music earn around $25,163 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,979.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Berklee College Of Music
California Institute Of The Arts earned the #9 position for music theory & composition this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from California Institute Of The Arts earn around $17,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for California Institute Of The Arts
Musicians Institute earned the #10 position for music theory & composition this year. Set in the city of Hollywood, Musicians Institute is a small private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Musicians Institute in the most recent data year.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Musicians Institute
Other Music Theory & Composition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Music Theory & Composition rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Theory & Composition Rankings >
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 · 213 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.
