American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs. Manhattan School of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, NY with Manhattan School of Music in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy is larger than Manhattan School of Music based on total student enrollment (1,452 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American Musical and Dramatic Academy is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Manhattan School of Music is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• American Musical and Dramatic Academy is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Manhattan School of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American Musical and Dramatic Academy 5:1; Manhattan School of Music 6:1.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs. Manhattan School of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Manhattan School of Music? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American Musical and Dramatic Academy than Manhattan School of Music ($48,524 vs. $51,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Manhattan School of Music are 5.5% lower than at American Musical and Dramatic Academy ($18,050 vs. $19,100).
• Manhattan School of Music is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than American Musical and Dramatic Academy (about $10,122 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $46,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Manhattan School of Music than at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (about $10,122 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $46,928.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American Musical and Dramatic Academy than at Manhattan School of Music (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Manhattan School of Music students is 51.6% larger than aid received by American Musical and Dramatic Academy students ($26,001 vs. $17,156).

American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs. Manhattan School of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, American Musical and Dramatic Academy or Manhattan School of Music? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Manhattan School of Music and American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: American Musical and Dramatic Academy - Test-free; Manhattan School of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Manhattan School of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Manhattan School of Music has a higher acceptance rate (40.8%) than American Musical and Dramatic Academy (24.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs. 25.3% at Manhattan School of Music.

American Musical and Dramatic Academy vs. Manhattan School of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Manhattan School of Music? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• American Musical and Dramatic Academy's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than Manhattan School of Music's (76%).
• Graduates from Manhattan School of Music earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than Manhattan School of Music graduates ($14,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, American Musical and Dramatic Academy graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Manhattan School of Music graduates ($144 vs. $245).
• More Manhattan School of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American Musical and Dramatic Academy students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.