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Music Theory and Composition

Music Theory and Composition

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#1 #1 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Every year, Berklee College of Music awards around 335 degrees to those studying Computer Software and Media Applications, Other, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Music, Other, Music Theory and Composition, Music Performance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 50% Annual Degrees Awarded 174 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $48,608 Median Starting Salary $54,102
#2 #2 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA At California Institute of the Arts, the most popular majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Acting, Fine/Studio Arts, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 26% Annual Degrees Awarded 16 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $57,288 Median Starting Salary $55,032
#3 #3 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. Musicians Institute Hollywood, CA At Musicians Institute, only three majors are offered: Music Performance, General, Music Theory and Composition, Music, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 71% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 980–1,300 Est. Net Price * $39,056 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#4 #4 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA At San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the most popular majors students pursue are Music Technology, Stringed Instruments, and Voice and Opera. In fact, San Francisco Conservatory of Music grants 13 degrees annually to Music Technology majors....view more Acceptance Rate 52% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 910–1,230 Est. Net Price * $44,360 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#5 #5 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. The Juilliard School New York, NY At The Juilliard School, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Stringed Instruments, Dance, General, and Keyboard Instruments. In fact, The Juilliard School awards 44 degrees every year to Stringed Instruments majors....view more Acceptance Rate 9% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $42,468 Median Starting Salary $56,138
#6 #6 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CA At Los Angeles College of Music, the most popular majors students pursue are Music Technology, Music Theory and Composition, and Stringed Instruments. In fact, Los Angeles College of Music grants 12 degrees annually to Music Technology majors....view more Acceptance Rate 81% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $43,023 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#7 #7 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. New York University New York, NY Each year, New York University awards around 533 degrees to students majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 9% Annual Degrees Awarded 13 SAT Score 1,480–1,570 Est. Net Price * $30,730 Median Starting Salary $48,239
#8 #8 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY At SUNY at Purchase College, the three most popular college majors students study are Psychology, General, Communication, General, Dance, and General. In fact, SUNY at Purchase College awards 66 degrees per year to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 17 SAT Score 1,200–1,380 Est. Net Price * $18,651 Median Starting Salary $52,298
#9 #9 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Every year, DigiPen Institute of Technology grants about 66 degrees to students studying Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 68% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,200–1,400 Est. Net Price * $40,015 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#10 #10 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. Northwestern University Evanston, IL At Northwestern University, the most popular majors students study are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 7% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,480–1,560 Est. Net Price * $23,341 Median Starting Salary $47,767
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

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Institution	Scaled Score	Acceptance Rate	Annual Degrees Awarded	SAT Score	Est. Net Price *	Median Starting Salary
Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Every year, Berklee College of Music awards around 335 degrees to those...view more	100	50%	174	--	$48,608	$54,102
California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA At California Institute of the Arts, the most popular majors students pursue...view more	86	26%	16	--	$57,288	$55,032
Musicians Institute Hollywood, CA view more	77	71%	14	980 - 1,300	$39,056	$51,847
San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA At San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the most popular majors students...view more	70	52%	4	910 - 1,230	$44,360	$51,847
The Juilliard School New York, NY At The Juilliard School, the three most popular college majors students...view more	69	9%	4	--	$42,468	$56,138
Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CA At Los Angeles College of Music, the most popular majors students pursue are...view more	68	81%	10	--	$43,023	$51,847
New York University New York, NY Each year, New York University awards around 533 degrees to students majoring...view more	68	9%	13	1,480 - 1,570	$30,730	$48,239
DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Every year, DigiPen Institute of Technology grants about 66 degrees to...view more	65	68%	9	1,200 - 1,400	$40,015	$51,847
SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY At SUNY at Purchase College, the three most popular college majors students...view more	65	73%	17	1,200 - 1,380	$18,651	$52,298
Northwestern University Evanston, IL At Northwestern University, the most popular majors students study are...view more	61	7%	5	1,480 - 1,560	$23,341	$47,767

About Music Theory and Composition

A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability.

Students who are passionate about Music Theory and Composition can study up to a Doctors degree professional practice. Currently, 1,132 students are granted some level of degree in Music Theory and Composition around the US each year. More students earn a degree in Music Theory and Composition in the state of California compared to any other state. The average starting salary for an undergraduate degree in Music Theory and Composition is $38,300.

Popularity of Music Theory and Composition Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Music Theory and Composition degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

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Careers

The highest paying job for Music Theory and Composition majors is Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary. However, something else to think about is how many job openings there currently is. A career that is in high need that a degree in Music Theory and Composition can prepare you for is Music Directors and Composers.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Music Theory and Composition majors.

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Career	Median Salary	Average Annual Job Openings	Employment 2022	Employment 2032	% Change
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$80,360	1,570	19,080	19,681	3%
Music Directors and Composers	$62,590	2,213	22,481	22,741	1%

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Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Music Theory and Composition majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

666

Female Students

220 (33%)

Male Students

446 (66%)

White (332, 50%)

Race/ethnicity unknown (104, 16%)

U.S. Nonresident (92, 14%)

Hispanic or Latino (57, 9%)

Asian (30, 5%)

Two or more races (26, 4%)

Black or African American (24, 4%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (1, <1%)

American Indian or Alaska Native (0, <1%)

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Music Theory and Composition

#1 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

50%

174

--

$48,608

$54,102

#2 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

26%

16

--

$57,288

$55,032

#3 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

71%

14

980–1,300

$39,056

$51,847

#4 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

52%

4

910–1,230

$44,360

$51,847

#5 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

9%

4

--

$42,468

$56,138

#6 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

81%

10

--

$43,023

$51,847

#7 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

9%

13

1,480–1,570

$30,730

$48,239

#8 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

73%

17

1,200–1,380

$18,651

$52,298

#9 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

68%

9

1,200–1,400

$40,015

$51,847

#10 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S.

7%

5

1,480–1,560

$23,341

$47,767

About Music Theory and Composition

Careers

Top Paying Careers

Most In-Demand Careers

Student Demographics

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