Dance at American Musical and Dramatic Academy

AMDA's dance program produces earnings that rank near the bottom nationally—13th percentile—with graduates earning just $15,881 one year after completing their degree. That's $6,000 below New York's already-modest state median for dance programs and nearly $12,000 below what graduates from CUNY Lehman College earn. Even within New York's competitive performing arts landscape, this program sits at the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of dance programs in the state deliver better early-career outcomes.

The $27,000 debt load appears close to national norms, but paired with those first-year earnings, it creates a debt burden of 1.7 times annual income—a ratio that can become unmanageable quickly when living in New York City. Consider that Lehman College graduates carry similar debt but earn 75% more, making their monthly payments far more sustainable. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means this data reflects actual outcomes, not an outlier year.

For families committed to a dance career, this is a tough financial starting point. The combination of below-market earnings and New York City living costs creates significant pressure right when graduates are auditioning and building their careers. If your child is set on AMDA specifically, plan for substantial financial support in those early years—or seriously consider CUNY options that deliver comparable training at a fraction of the total cost.