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American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs North Country Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Public, Saranac Lake NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Country Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,276 against a $23,736 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 AcademyNorth Country Community College
Net price / yr$41,416$11,868
Total net cost$165,664$23,736
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,975$38,276
Median debt$15,250$12,000
Payback
20-year net return-$593,364-$225,416

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

Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or North Country Community College?

North Country Community College, at $11,868 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $29,548 a year, or $141,928 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 North Country Community College graduates earn more?

North Country Community College graduates report a median $38,276 ten years after entry, $11,301 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 North Country Community College?

North Country Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $15,250 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a difference of $3,250. 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 29% at North Country 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 North Country Community College: frequently asked questions

Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy or North Country Community College a better value?
North Country 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 North Country Community College?
North Country Community College: $11,868/yr net price after aid versus $41,416/yr at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a difference of $29,548 a year, or about $141,928 over four years.
Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or North Country Community College graduates earn more?
North Country Community College graduates earn a median $38,276 ten years after entry, versus $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a $11,301 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.