2026 Best Music Theory & Composition Schools in the New England 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 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music theory & composition schools.
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Best Schools for Music Theory & Composition in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music theory & composition education in the New England Region.
Top Schools in Music Theory & Composition
Berklee College Of Music is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music theory & composition. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Berklee College Of Music awarded about 234 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $21,670 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,979 to complete this degree.
See the full music theory & composition program report for Berklee College Of Music
Western Connecticut State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music theory & composition, ranking #2. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Danbury. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 music theory & composition students who graduated with this degree at Western Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music theory & composition program make about $21,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,025.
Get the full music theory & composition details for Western Connecticut State University
Students looking for a strong music theory & composition program will find one at The New England Conservatory Of Music, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. The New England Conservatory Of Music graduates 73% of students within six years. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 18 music theory & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music theory & composition degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music theory & composition from The New England Conservatory Of Music
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.
