Degree Dividend
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American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs Fulton-Montgomery Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Public, Johnstown NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fulton-Montgomery Community College comes closer — median earnings $39,535 against a $13,392 total, vs $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmerican Musical and Dramatic AcademyFulton-Montgomery Community College
Net price / yr$41,416$6,696
Total net cost$165,664$13,392
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,975$39,535
Median debt$15,250$12,125
Payback
20-year net return-$593,364-$189,892

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College?

Fulton-Montgomery Community College, at $6,696 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $34,720 a year, or $152,272 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates earn more?

Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates report a median $39,535 ten years after entry, $12,560 more than the $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College?

Fulton-Montgomery Community College: its completers carry a median $12,125 in federal loans versus $15,250 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a difference of $3,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, against 40% at Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs Fulton-Montgomery Community College: frequently asked questions

Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College a better value?
Fulton-Montgomery Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College?
Fulton-Montgomery Community College: $6,696/yr net price after aid versus $41,416/yr at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a difference of $34,720 a year, or about $152,272 over four years.
Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates earn more?
Fulton-Montgomery Community College graduates earn a median $39,535 ten years after entry, versus $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a $12,560 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.