American Musical and Dramatic Academy
- Graduation Rate
- 72% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $26,975 D
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $41,416 F
- 142% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 24% A
- Admits roughly 24% — highly selective
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 4.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $4.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $4.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $574,225.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 34% below the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $4.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why American Musical and Dramatic Academy Matters
American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a private special-focus institution in New York, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 1,438
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose American Musical and Dramatic Academy
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 24% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $41,416 a year after grants and scholarships — 142% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $26,975 ten years after enrolling — 34% below the typical college, against $15,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a solid choice for students passionate about the arts, especially those drawn to visual and performing arts. With an acceptance rate of just 24%, it attracts dedicated artists ready to hone their craft in a vibrant setting like New York City. The school has a focused curriculum that prepares students for careers in theater, music, and other performance disciplines, making it a hub for aspiring performers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $26,975 within a decade. While this figure may seem modest, it reflects a commitment to artistic endeavors rather than traditional career paths. The affordability of the education is worth noting, with about 33% of students receiving Pell Grants, which helps ease financial burdens for those from lower-income backgrounds. This support can make a significant difference in pursuing a fulfilling career in the arts.
When it comes to costs, the net price for students after financial aid is $41,416, which can be a considerable investment. With a median debt load of $15,250, many graduates find themselves managing a reasonable amount of student loans. Those who thrive here are typically those deeply committed to their art and willing to navigate the challenges of a creative career in a city known for its competitive landscape.
Can I Get In?
How selective American Musical and Dramatic Academy is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
American Musical and Dramatic Academy, located in New York, New York, sets a competitive bar: about 24% of applicants get an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 24%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 32%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,293
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.84
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 8,158
- Admitted
- 2,109
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at American Musical and Dramatic Academy is $46,928, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,416. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,437 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $46,928
- Out-of-State
- $46,928
- Avg Net Price
- $41,416
- Median Debt
- $15,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 59%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $25,437
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $27,924
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $43,968
- Family Income $110K+
- $59,423
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of American Musical and Dramatic Academy report median earnings of $26,975, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $21,168
- 8 Years
- $23,876
- 10 Years
- $26,975
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.57x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (128)
- 62%
- 100% (128)
- 62%
- 100% (128)
- 62%
- 100% (128)
- 62%
How American Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, American Musical and Dramatic Academy delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $41,416/year ($165,664 total). Graduates earn $26,975 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $739,889 in total earnings — a net gain of $574,225 (4.5× your investment). The median debt is $15,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 72% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $165,664
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $739,889
- Net Return
- $574,225
- ROI Multiple
- 4.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $41,416
- Median Debt
- $15,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does American Musical and Dramatic Academy Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.70%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $120,648
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields American Musical and Dramatic Academy awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 100% $19,530 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for American Musical and Dramatic Academy's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Interior Designer$62,510 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Museum Curator$59,880 · 8% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Graphic Designer$58,910 · 3% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Photographer$40,760 · 4% growthAdaptable 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
American Musical and Dramatic Academy, located in New York, New York, sets a competitive bar: about 24% of applicants get an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at American Musical and Dramatic Academy is $46,928, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,416. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,437 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,250 in federal student loans.
Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of American Musical and Dramatic Academy report median earnings of $26,975, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does American Musical and Dramatic Academy Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
- Manhattan School of MusicNew York, NY · Close peer78% grad $26,878 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · same state
- California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA · Strong match65% grad $41,198 earn 32% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Beacon CollegeLeesburg, FL · Strong match59% grad $29,420 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings
- The New England Conservatory of MusicBoston, MA · Strong match76% grad $34,483 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar grad rate
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico-PonceMercedita, PR · Strong match42% grad $26,721 earn 34% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Berklee College of MusicBoston, MA · Strong match67% grad $33,647 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note