2027 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in New York
Music Theory & Composition is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for music theory & composition students.
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Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music theory & composition education in New York.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
No school ranked higher than New York University this year for music theory & composition. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from New York University earn around $28,287 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from New York University
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the top schools for music theory & composition. This large public university is located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. About 18 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $16,996 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
Read more about the music theory & composition program at Cuny Brooklyn College
The New School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 13 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The New School generally make around $15,510. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full music theory & composition program report for The New School
University Of Rochester is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music theory & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Rochester awarded about 12 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $26,769 in student loans.
Get the full music theory & composition details for University Of Rochester
Students looking for a strong music theory & composition program will find one at Suny At Purchase College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,569. Typical student debt for the program is $22,179.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Suny At Purchase College
The Juilliard School ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 91% of students finish within six years. The Juilliard School awarded about 10 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music theory & composition degree from The Juilliard School earn around $14,101 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best music theory & composition schools. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 22 music theory & composition degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Music Theory & Composition graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. Manhattan School Of Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from Manhattan School Of Music
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), 2027 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 · 7 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.
