Areas of Study
AMDA offers many different types of performing arts and filmmaking degrees. We invite you to explore our programs below:
AMDA College of the Performing Arts serves as both your school and stage. For over 60 years, we have prepared students for success in life and in the spotlight.
Our Manhattan and Hollywood campuses place you in the heart of the entertainment industry and give you access to an unparalleled education in the performing arts. Whichever campus you choose — or if you study at both — you will network with a diverse community of like-minded, passionate storytellers, collaborating across departments to produce meaningful work. We offer an abundance of performance opportunities: 170 every year!
When you graduate, you will transition to the performing arts industry or a career in filmmaking as a multi-threat artist, joining our esteemed alumni. Graduates have won Tonys, Grammys, Academy Awards, and Emmys, and continue to shape the industry. Playbill ranked us as #4 on its 2025 list of colleges with the most graduates on Broadway.
Opportunity awaits you at AMDA. When you’re not in class or creating, you’ll find plenty to do amid the vibrant energy of New York City and Los Angeles. Depending on the campus, you can:
Get inspired by a performance at the Lincoln Center.
Practice your acceptance speech at the Academy Museum.
Write your screenplay in Central Park.
Grab student tickets to a Broadway show.
Hike up to the Hollywood sign.
Envision your place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Back on campus, get involved in one of our vibrant clubs, including:
AMDA Cares
Black Student Union
Latinx Alliance
LGBTQIA+ Alliance
International Student Alliance
Student Activities Board
Other features of our performing arts degrees include:
Our incredible faculty are working professionals, experienced industry veterans and active artists in their fields. They represent the entire performing arts industry and work as directors, producers, writers, actors, musicians and more. They bring their many years of professional experience and expertise to the classroom, helping you develop your skills and prepare for a career in today’s entertainment industry.
“It was truly inspiring to be taught by professionals who are actively working in the industry. They are not just teaching from theory — they are living it and are passionate about their craft. Many of our lecturers have acted and are still involved in performance work, so learning from people who are genuinely active in the field made the experience even more meaningful. What motivated me the most was seeing how passionate they were about teaching and guiding us.” - AMDA Graduate Oqalile Tshetshe '25
You already know that our campuses are located in the two entertainment capitals of the United States. What you may not know is that both our New York City and Los Angeles campuses boast state-of-the-art facilities where you will experience working in the type of environment you will see once you begin work in the visual arts or performing arts industry.
We offer financial aid to 100 percent of our admitted students. Students can select a variety of options when planning for tuition, including:
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Payment plans
Upon acceptance, you’re automatically considered for talent scholarships ranging between $12,000–$30,000 per year. The average financial aid package for the 2024–2025 academic year was $41,468.
AMDA College of the Performing Arts is a regionally accredited institution, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)—one of the most respected accrediting bodies in U.S. higher education. Regional accreditation by WASC affirms that AMDA meets rigorous standards for academic quality, institutional integrity, student outcomes, and continuous improvement. This accreditation ensures that AMDA’s degree programs are recognized nationwide, credits are transferable where applicable, and students receive an education held to the highest standards of excellence in higher education.
