NEW 2025 Best Colleges Rankings!

Search for a different college major

Home
>
Browse All Majors
>
Visual And Performing Arts
>
Music
>
Music Theory and Composition

Music Theory and Composition

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:

Search:


#1 #1 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 7 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $42,468 Median Starting Salary $56,138
#2 #2 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MA At The New England Conservatory of Music, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Stringed Instruments, Jazz/Jazz Studies, and Keyboard Instruments. In fact, The New England Conservatory of Music grants 28 degrees per year to graduating Stringed Instruments students....view more Acceptance Rate 43% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 830–830 Est. Net Price * $49,544 Median Starting Salary $60,545
#3 #3 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY At CUNY Brooklyn College, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, and Accounting. In fact, CUNY Brooklyn College grants 534 degrees annually to Business Administration and Management, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 54% Annual Degrees Awarded 27 SAT Score 1,140–1,420 Est. Net Price * $4,105 Median Starting Salary $47,021
#4 #4 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. The New School New York, NY Each year, The New School awards about 240 degrees to those studying Fashion/Apparel Design, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 63% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,170–1,370 Est. Net Price * $62,226 Median Starting Salary $49,833
#5 #5 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, Fine/Studio Arts, General, and Acting....view more Acceptance Rate 26% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $57,288 Median Starting Salary $55,032
#6 #6 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 1 SAT Score 1,480–1,560 Est. Net Price * $23,341 Median Starting Salary $47,767
#7 #7 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. Manhattan School of Music New York, NY At Manhattan School of Music, the most popular majors students pursue are Musical Theatre, Voice and Opera, and Stringed Instruments. In fact, Manhattan School of Music grants 28 degrees every year to graduating Musical Theatre students....view more Acceptance Rate 40% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $51,879 Median Starting Salary $60,074
#8 #8 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. DePaul University Chicago, IL At DePaul University, the three most popular college majors students study are Finance, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Cinematography and Film/Video Production. In fact, DePaul University grants 247 degrees every year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,160–1,360 Est. Net Price * $32,129 Median Starting Salary $52,076
#9 #9 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 5 SAT Score 910–1,230 Est. Net Price * $44,360 Median Starting Salary $51,847
#10 #10 Best College for Music Theory and Composition in the U.S. The Catholic University of America Washington, DC Every year, The Catholic University of America awards around 133 degrees to students majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,040–1,240 Est. Net Price * $35,008 Median Starting Salary $61,854
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

Results 1-10 of 58

Results per page

Page of 6

Search

Search:

Institution	Scaled Score	Acceptance Rate	Annual Degrees Awarded	SAT Score	Est. Net Price *	Median Starting Salary
The Juilliard School New York, NY At The Juilliard School, the three most popular college majors students...view more	100	9%	7	--	$42,468	$56,138
The New England Conservatory of Music Boston, MA At The New England Conservatory of Music, the three most popular college...view more	99	43%	9	830 - 830	$49,544	$60,545
CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY At CUNY Brooklyn College, the three most popular college majors students...view more	83	54%	27	1,140 - 1,420	$4,105	$47,021
The New School New York, NY Each year, The New School awards about 240 degrees to those studying...view more	64	63%	8	1,170 - 1,370	$62,226	$49,833
California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA At California Institute of the Arts, the most popular majors students pursue...view more	N/A	26%	9	--	$57,288	$55,032
Northwestern University Evanston, IL At Northwestern University, the most popular majors students study are...view more	59	7%	1	1,480 - 1,560	$23,341	$47,767
Manhattan School of Music New York, NY At Manhattan School of Music, the most popular majors students pursue are...view more	56	40%	8	--	$51,879	$60,074
DePaul University Chicago, IL At DePaul University, the three most popular college majors students study...view more	54	74%	5	1,160 - 1,360	$32,129	$52,076
San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA At San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the most popular majors students...view more	48	52%	5	910 - 1,230	$44,360	$51,847
The Catholic University of America Washington, DC Every year, The Catholic University of America awards around 133 degrees to...view more	N/A	84%	1	1,040 - 1,240	$35,008	$61,854

*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

Results 1-10 of 58

Results per page

Page of 6

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 New York 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.

Less Popular

More Popular

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 Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary.

Top Paying Careers

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

Search:

Career	Median Salary	Average Annual Job Openings	Employment 2022	Employment 2032	% Change
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$80,360	3,202	38,904	40,129	3%
Music Directors and Composers	$62,590	1,076	10,929	11,056	1%

Results 1-2 of 2

Most In-Demand Careers

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

Student Demographics

Total Students

278

Female Students

83 (29%)

Male Students

195 (70%)

White (152, 55%)

U.S. Nonresident (61, 22%)

Hispanic or Latino (21, 8%)

Asian (16, 6%)

Black or African American (15, 5%)

Two or more races (7, 3%)

Race/ethnicity unknown (6, 2%)

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

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (0, <1%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Music Theory and Composition

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

9%

7

--

$42,468

$56,138

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

43%

9

830–830

$49,544

$60,545

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

54%

27

1,140–1,420

$4,105

$47,021

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

63%

8

1,170–1,370

$62,226

$49,833

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

26%

9

--

$57,288

$55,032

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

7%

1

1,480–1,560

$23,341

$47,767

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

40%

8

--

$51,879

$60,074

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

74%

5

1,160–1,360

$32,129

$52,076

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

52%

5

910–1,230

$44,360

$51,847

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

84%

1

1,040–1,240

$35,008

$61,854

About Music Theory and Composition

Careers

Top Paying Careers

Most In-Demand Careers

Student Demographics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter