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.
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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 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.
