Music Theory and Composition: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Music Theory and Composition is a rigorous academic discipline centered on the intellectual and creative foundations of musical creation. It equips students with the analytical tools and practical skills necessary to understand, manipulate, and innovate within the structure of music across diverse traditions and media.
- Aural Theory: The development of advanced listening skills to identify and interpret musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, and harmony by ear.
- Melody Construction: The principles and techniques involved in crafting expressive, coherent, and structurally sound melodic lines.
- Counterpoint: The art of combining independent melodic lines in a harmonically and rhythmically balanced way, rooted in historical and contemporary practices.
- Complex Harmony: In-depth exploration of extended chords, voice leading, and harmonic relationships beyond basic tonal structures.
- Modulation: The strategic shifting between musical keys, emphasizing smooth transitions and structural coherence in compositions.
- Chromaticism: The use of non-diatonic tones and chromatic scales to expand harmonic and melodic expression.
- Improvisation: The spontaneous creation of music in real time, emphasizing creativity, technical fluency, and stylistic awareness.
- Harmonic Progressions: The study and application of chord sequences that support and drive musical form and emotional narrative.
- Musical Writing: The craft of composing original works for various ensembles and settings, with attention to form, texture, and thematic development.
- Instrumentation: The knowledge of individual instrument characteristics, ranges, and capabilities for effective and idiomatic writing.
- Orchestration: The art of assigning musical material to instruments in an ensemble to achieve desired color, balance, and dramatic effect.
- Electronic and Computer Applications: The integration of digital tools, software, and technology in music creation, editing, and production.
- Study of Specific Musical Styles: In-depth analysis of historical and cultural musical traditions, including classical, jazz, contemporary, and world music genres.
- Development of Original Creative Ability: The cultivation of personal artistic voice through sustained composition, experimentation, and critical reflection.
Music Theory and Composition Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Music Theory and Composition Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Music Theory and Composition degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Music Directors and Composers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 110,220 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Music Directors and Composers 27-2041 | $63,670 | $34,990 - $157,010 | 12,330 | $30.61 |
Music Theory and Composition Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,215 in Alabama to $103,385 in Hawaii—a 114% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 110,220 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Music Theory and Composition by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Music Theory and Composition programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Music Theory and Composition is found at Berklee College of Music (271 graduates), Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) (219 graduates), New York University (NYU) (64 graduates), Academy of Art University (29 graduates), and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) (27 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,279 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
271 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | berklee.edu |
| Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
219 | Hollywood, California | Private | lafilm.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
64 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Stark State College |
Other Award
|
20 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
19 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
12 | Pasadena, California | Private | lacm.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Musicians Institute (MI) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Hollywood, California | Private | mi.edu |
| Manhattan School of Music (MSM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | New York, New York | Private | msmnyc.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) |
Master's
|
10 | Montpelier, Vermont | Private | vcfa.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Amarillo College |
Associate's
|
9 | Amarillo, Texas | Public | actx.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Private | sfcm.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
5 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Dallas College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Lawrence University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Private | lawrence.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Manhattan College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Riverdale, New York | Private | manhattan.edu |
| Nazareth University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | www2.naz.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Houghton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Houghton, New York | Private | houghton.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Curtis Institute of Music |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | curtis.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| College of the Ozarks (C of O) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Point Lookout, Missouri | Private | cofo.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Oberlin College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oberlin, Ohio | Private | oberlin.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Music Theory and Composition programs
How much can I earn with a Music Theory and Composition degree?
Salaries for Music Theory and Composition graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Music Directors and Composers earn around $63,670. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $103,385 compared to $48,215 in Alabama. Approximately 110,220 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Music Theory and Composition programs?
Currently 147 accredited institutions offer Music Theory and Composition degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Berklee College of Music (271 graduates), Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) (219 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (64 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Music Theory and Composition growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 877 in 2010 to 1,336 in 2023-24. This represents a 52% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Music Theory and Composition degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Music Directors and Composers, . Related occupations employ approximately 110,220 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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