At $40,991/yr net price, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates earn $27,019/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $40,991 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $163,964 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $27,019/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-6,981/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $37,452/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $41,181/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $46,735/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $40,431/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,210/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Associate | $16,685 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
76.0% of students at American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return here is bad, and the numbers are blunt about it. You pay roughly $41,000 a year in net price for a two-year associate program, and ten years out the median graduate earns about $27,000 a year. That is below what many jobs require no degree at all to earn. The one program with reported data, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at the associate level, shows median earnings around $16,700 , less than half the annual cost of attending.
Drama is the only program on the table, so there is no higher-paying major to fall back on. This is an acting conservatory in Los Angeles, and acting income is unpredictable by nature. The regional market is saturated with performers, and no credential guarantees you steady work. Your degree does not lock in a salary the way a nursing or engineering program would.
The debt picture is the one bright spot. Median debt sits at $12,000, low compared to most private schools, and the 76% graduation rate means you are likely to finish. But low debt only helps if you can repay it, and earnings this low make even $12,000 a slow climb.
The net price tiers add a strange wrinkle: families earning under $30,000 pay about $37,500, while families in the $48,000-$75,000 band pay nearly $46,700 , more than the highest earners. Middle-income families get the worst deal here.
This school fits you only if you are pursuing acting for reasons other than income and can afford the cost without relying on your future salary to justify it. If you need a degree to pay for itself, look elsewhere. The earnings data does not support treating this as a financial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles worth the cost?
With graduates earning a median of $27,019 ten years after enrollment against a net price of $40,991 per year, the financial return is poor. The debt-to-income ratio makes this a high-risk investment for most students.
What is the job market like for American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles graduates?
Graduates earn significantly below the national average, with median earnings of $27,019 after ten years. The entertainment industry offers limited high-paying positions, making financial stability challenging for most alumni.
How much debt do American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles students typically graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $12,000, which helps offset the poor earnings outcomes. However, even this modest debt burden represents nearly half a year's salary for typical graduates.
Which programs at American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles have the best ROI?
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs show earnings of $16,685, which is actually lower than the school's overall graduate median. No programs at this school demonstrate strong financial returns relative to educational costs.