Best colleges with Music Theory and Composition degrees

What colleges offer music theory and composition classes in 2025?

There are 121 colleges in the U.S. where you can study and earn a degree in music theory and composition. These are the top ranked colleges offering majors in music theory and composition based on the CollegeSimply ranking methodology. The average net price to attend these colleges is $25,796 per year. McLennan Community College offers the cheapest music theory and composition degree with an average net price of $5,785 annually.

Major:Music Theory and Com... Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

121 results nationwide

Johns Hopkins University
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J
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,362enrollment
  • $22,844net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1530-1580SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

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Vanderbilt University
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V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,456enrollment
  • $26,689net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1560SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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Northwestern University
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N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,203enrollment
  • $23,341net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Southern California
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S
Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 47,147enrollment
  • $41,496net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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Carnegie Mellon University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 15,596enrollment
  • $32,964net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Michigan
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M
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,065enrollment
  • $19,005net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Miami
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M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,593enrollment
  • $41,028net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Rochester
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R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,160enrollment
  • $40,900net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Southern Methodist University
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S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 11,842enrollment
  • $45,792net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 1320-1480SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Boston University
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B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

10 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,624enrollment
  • $27,551net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1520SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

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Whitman College
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W
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,544enrollment
  • $41,601net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Furman University
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F
Greenville, SC

Furman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in South Carolina

  • 2,505enrollment
  • $32,901net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1425SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Chapman University
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C
Orange, CA

Chapman University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,961enrollment
  • $48,037net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $23,681net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1490SAT range
  • 24-33ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

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Texas Christian University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,785enrollment
  • $39,005net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1375SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of California Santa Barbara
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C
Santa Barbara, CA

University of California Santa Barbara

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,068enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1460SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
  • 3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
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I
Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 56,563enrollment
  • $14,297net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Brigham Young University Provo
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B
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo

Private 4 Year

15 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Utah

  • 35,074enrollment
  • $14,643net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1450SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 16

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Colleges for earning degrees in Music Theory and Composition can be found in the following states