Best Colleges with Music Theory and Composition Degrees in the U.S.
If you are seeking a degree in Music Theory and Composition, you'll find there is a large range of degrees that can be earned. A major in Music Theory and Composition is a popular major and can be found at many different colleges and universities, all of which are listed below. Our 2021 ranking of the best colleges that offer Music Theory and Composition degrees is based on the compilation of our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review. You can find more information about a Music Theory and Composition degree below along with a look at schools that offer online degrees in Music Theory and Composition.
The Best Music Theory and Composition Colleges of 2019
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berklee College of Music | Boston, MA |
Berklee College of Music offers 4 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 294 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 228 Bachelor's degrees, 34 Master's degrees, and 32 Certificates degrees. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: Berklee College of Music Reviews
| |
| 2 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
Northwestern University offers 6 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a small city. In 2015, 11 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 4 Doctoral degrees, 4 Master's degrees, and 3 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 40 Reviews |
Read more: Northwestern University Reviews
| |
| 3 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA |
Stanford University offers 1 Music Theory And Composition Degree program. It's a large private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 1 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 1 Doctoral degree. | Based on 64 Reviews |
Read more: Stanford University Reviews
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| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
University of Southern California offers 3 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 16 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 11 Bachelor's degrees, 3 Master's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews |
Read more: University of Southern California Reviews
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| 5 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD |
Johns Hopkins University offers 3 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 15 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 9 Master's degrees, 4 Bachelor's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 32 Reviews |
Read more: Johns Hopkins University Reviews
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| 6 | Rice University | Houston, TX |
Rice University offers 3 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 7 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 4 Bachelor's degrees, 2 Master's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: Rice University Reviews
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| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 4 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 14 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 6 Bachelor's degrees, 5 Master's degrees, 3 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 128 Reviews |
Read more: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Reviews
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| 8 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN |
Vanderbilt University offers 2 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 4 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 4 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 28 Reviews |
Read more: Vanderbilt University Reviews
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| 9 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY |
Cornell University offers 2 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a small city. | Based on 100 Reviews |
Read more: Cornell University Reviews
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| 10 | New York University | New York, NY |
New York University offers 2 Music Theory And Composition Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 37 students graduated in the study area of Music Theory And Composition with students earning 31 Master's degrees, and 6 Bachelor's degrees. | Based on 60 Reviews |
Read more: New York University Reviews
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List of Music Theory and Composition Schools in the U.S.
| School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Berklee College of Music Boston, MA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 5,289 |
|
Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
5/5
|
10 : 1 | 21,655 |
|
Stanford University Stanford, CA |
5/5
|
6 : 1 | 16,980 |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 43,401 |
|
|
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD |
5/5
|
6 : 1 | 22,686 |
|
Rice University Houston, TX |
5/5
|
10 : 1 | 6,719 |
|
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI |
3/5
|
7 : 1 | 43,651 |
|
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN |
5/5
|
4 : 1 | 12,567 |
|
|
Cornell University Ithaca, NY |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 21,904 |
|
New York University New York, NY |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 50,027 |
|
Brandeis University Waltham, MA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 5,752 |
|
Full Sail University Winter Park, FL |
4/5
|
24 : 1 | 20,025 |
|
Boston University Boston, MA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 32,158 |
|
University of Miami Coral Gables, FL |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 16,825 |
|
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 12,963 |
|
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA |
3/5
|
12 : 1 | 45,408 |
|
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 7,632 |
|
Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 11,340 |
|
Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 11,643 |
|
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY |
5/5
|
18 : 1 | 21,789 |
|
Oberlin College Oberlin, OH |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 2,929 |
|
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
3/5
|
24 : 1 | 23,497 |
|
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX |
3/5
|
18 : 1 | 50,950 |
|
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 10,323 |
|
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA |
5/5
|
9 : 1 | 3,625 |
Find Local Colleges Offering Music Theory and Composition Degrees
Getting a Music Theory and Composition Degree Online
Schools offering online Music Theory and Composition degrees
Online Music Theory and Composition degrees are available at a variety of different schools with as many as 353 degrees earned at the most popular school. Read more below about all schools that have offered online Music Theory and Composition degrees. If you are interested learning more about getting a degree online, check out our page dedicated to online degree information.
| School Name | Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 0 | 0 | 353 | 0 | 0 |
| Wilberforce University | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
- 2 Bachelor's
What degrees do people get in Music Theory and Composition?
| Degree Level | Program Length | Colleges | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's | 2-year Length | 11 Colleges | 92 Graduates |
| Bachelor's | 4-year Length | 173 Colleges | 972 Graduates |
| Certificates | < 1 year Length | 21 Colleges | 60 Graduates |
| Doctoral | 1-2 year Length | 32 Colleges | 71 Graduates |
| Master's | 1+ years Length | 80 Colleges | 331 Graduates |
Music Theory and Composition Degree Overview
Researching a Music Theory and Composition degree you will find that there are many opportunities for a traditional degree as well as higher education choices. The most common path for those earning a degree in Music Theory and Composition can figure a standard two to four years to earn a degree. The most popular Music Theory and Composition degree earned was a bachelor's degree and it also has the widest range of school possibilities as well. The second most popular Music Theory and Composition degree that people receive is a master's degree which illustrates a focus on higher learning. This expresses that the degree requires dedication to schooling and you may want to seek more than a four year time commitment. Although a certificate is offered at some schools, getting a certificate is not very common. Finding the right Music Theory and Composition degree for you not only requires the flexibility of your time and schedule but also a look into the schools the offer the degree as well as what options are available to you once you earn your degree.
Average cost of college for a Music Theory and Composition degree
Average Tuition and Fees for a 2 year Degree
| Average Tuition and Fees | School Control | Student Residence |
|---|---|---|
| $3,171 | Public | In-State |
| $6,461 | Public | Out-of-State |
Average Tuition and Fees for a 4 year Degree
| Average Tuition and Fees | School Control | Student Residence |
|---|---|---|
| $9,394 | Public | In-State |
| $34,475 | Private | In-State |
| $22,110 | Public | Out-of-State |
| $34,475 | Private | Out-of-State |