<p>Bandgeek –
I would very very strongly suggest that you go and visit the University of Michigan composition program, as well as the PAT (performing arts technology - bmus degree or bfa degree). Go during one of the audition/interview days, take the tour, etc.</p>
<p>The “PAT” program is not exactly traditional (includes engineering and sound reinforcement, electronic composition, film scoring etc.) but most of the students selected have a strong composing, ensemble playing and multimedia backgrounds. You can also concentrate in performance on your instrument in the A curricula of the program, or alternately concentrate in multimedia composition, or, of interest to a MATH student, concentrate in engineering while still composing music and performing. The traditional BMUS in Composition is an excellent program with very well regarded instructors that my son speaks very highly of. Each year, Michigan is right up there with heavy-hitting conservatories & privates in terms of ASCAP & BMI composition fellowships and awards or SEAMUS awards; and its profs stay current too, most recently receiving several grammy nominations, including classical composition. Lots of students in Michigan think of UMich as just a “state” school when in actual fact is has one of North America’s top performing arts schools – so consider yourself fortunate to have the “in-state-rate-of-tuition” opportunity for the taking!</p>
<p>In Michigan, I feel you WILL NOT beat UMich for calibre OR in-state price, and if you were fortunate enough to get in, that would be my personal (and of course, highly biased 
) recommendation. To get a feel, go read up on some of the composers there and give a listen to their work. </p>
<p>That said, other universities such as Indiana/Jacobs school of music can be within your price range (about 23k tuition Out of State BUT generous automatic scholarship for high stat students that will bring that down almost to UMich In-State tuition pricing, provided your GPA and ACTs are UMich-admit caliber) and you would want to optimize your chances by applying to a good number of well ranked programs since UMich is not at all an easy admit.</p>
<p>FYI - a budget of $30k a year would necessitate additional financial aid at private schools/conservatories, or generous merit awards. Fortunately, there are many excellent state composition programs in the midwest!</p>