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American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Private for-profit, Long Island City NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants comes closer — median earnings $38,899 against a $80,388 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 AcademyNew York School for Medical and Dental Assistants
Net price / yr$41,416$20,097
Total net cost$165,664$80,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,975$38,899
Median debt$15,250$8,309
Payback
20-year net return-$593,364-$269,608

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

Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants?

New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants, at $20,097 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $21,319 a year, or $85,276 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 New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants graduates earn more?

New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants graduates report a median $38,899 ten years after entry, $11,924 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 New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants?

New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants: its completers carry a median $8,309 in federal loans versus $15,250 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a difference of $6,941. 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 65% at New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants. 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 New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants: frequently asked questions

Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy or New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants a better value?
New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants 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 New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants?
New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants: $20,097/yr net price after aid versus $41,416/yr at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a difference of $21,319 a year, or about $85,276 over four years.
Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants graduates earn more?
New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants graduates earn a median $38,899 ten years after entry, versus $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a $11,924 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.