Berkeley College-New York vs American Musical and Dramatic Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Berkeley College-New York comes closer — median earnings $45,884 against a $136,496 total, vs $26,975 at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Berkeley College-New York | American Musical and Dramatic Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,124 | $41,416 |
| Total net cost | $136,496 | $165,664 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,884 | $26,975 |
| Median debt | $30,426 | $15,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$186,016 | -$593,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Berkeley College-New York or American Musical and Dramatic Academy?
Berkeley College-New York, at $34,124 a year after aid versus $41,416 — a gap of $7,292 a year, or $29,168 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Berkeley College-New York or American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates earn more?
Berkeley College-New York graduates report a median $45,884 ten years after entry, $18,909 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, Berkeley College-New York or American Musical and Dramatic Academy?
American Musical and Dramatic Academy: its completers carry a median $15,250 in federal loans versus $30,426 at Berkeley College-New York, a difference of $15,176. 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 44% at Berkeley College-New York. 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.