Degree Dividend
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American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs Villa Maria College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Buffalo NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Villa Maria College comes closer — median earnings $38,857 against a $53,976 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 AcademyVilla Maria College
Net price / yr$41,416$13,494
Total net cost$165,664$53,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,975$38,857
Median debt$15,250$21,250
Payback
20-year net return-$593,364-$244,036

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

Which is cheaper, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Villa Maria College?

Villa Maria College, at $13,494 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $27,922 a year, or $111,688 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 Villa Maria College graduates earn more?

Villa Maria College graduates report a median $38,857 ten years after entry, $11,882 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 Villa Maria College?

American Musical and Dramatic Academy: its completers carry a median $15,250 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Villa Maria College, a difference of $6,000. 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 31% at Villa Maria 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 Villa Maria College: frequently asked questions

Is American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Villa Maria College a better value?
Villa Maria 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 Villa Maria College?
Villa Maria College: $13,494/yr net price after aid versus $41,416/yr at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a difference of $27,922 a year, or about $111,688 over four years.
Do American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Villa Maria College graduates earn more?
Villa Maria College graduates earn a median $38,857 ten years after entry, versus $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy — a $11,882 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.