Degree Dividend
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American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs Mildred Elley-New York Campus: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Private for-profit, New York NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mildred Elley-New York Campus comes closer — median earnings $38,830 against a $101,724 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 AcademyMildred Elley-New York Campus
Net price / yr$41,416$25,431
Total net cost$165,664$101,724
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,975$38,830
Median debt$15,250$19,000
Payback
20-year net return-$593,364-$292,324

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

Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Mildred Elley-New York Campus?

Mildred Elley-New York Campus, at $25,431 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $15,985 a year, or $63,940 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 Mildred Elley-New York Campus graduates earn more?

Mildred Elley-New York Campus graduates report a median $38,830 ten years after entry, $11,855 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 Mildred Elley-New York Campus?

American Musical and Dramatic Academy: its completers carry a median $15,250 in federal loans versus $19,000 at Mildred Elley-New York Campus, a difference of $3,750. 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 32% at Mildred Elley-New York Campus. 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 Mildred Elley-New York Campus: frequently asked questions

Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Mildred Elley-New York Campus a better value?
Mildred Elley-New York Campus 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 Mildred Elley-New York Campus?
Mildred Elley-New York Campus: $25,431/yr net price after aid versus $41,416/yr at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a difference of $15,985 a year, or about $63,940 over four years.
Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Mildred Elley-New York Campus graduates earn more?
Mildred Elley-New York Campus graduates earn a median $38,830 ten years after entry, versus $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a $11,855 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.