Is there any different price for Media Composer from Avid Xpress Pro Academic? Or are all prices set for all situations? 

MC Academic, I believe, is $295.

Even for an upgrade from Xpress Pro (Academic)?

In which situation, I'd feel like I got ripped off because I can buy Media Composer Academic NEW for the same price I can upgrade with.

It's always been my understanding that the cost of an Academic upgrade was equal to a new Academic purchase anyway. 

I believe that there traditionally have not been "upgrades" for Academic users, if you wanted the latest version you just had to buy it again.  It's a 90% discount off of retail, so I wouldn't necessarily say that you got "ripped off"

 Well here's my thing. I purchased Xpress Pro in October, only to find out several months later that there will be no more support for the software, meaning it will never be available on Vista.

This means that I pretty much am on my own since soon Windows won't be supporting XP (as they are cancelling XP sales TODAY).

If I would have waited a few months, I could have gotten Media Composer for the same price that I got Xpress Pro for, now it's almost like throwing away $300, since Xpress Pro isn't available/supported anymore.

True but, from October, you've gotten a lot of value from that software in half a year's time. Especially when you can buy it for $295.

Also, you can cut on that platform for a long time to come so the return on investment is still there.

Unfortunately that's the reality of our technological world, there's always something better if you wait a year. Fortunately for you, the best editor out there is a measly $295. 

Redsoxwsc07:

f I would have waited a few months, I could have gotten Media Composer for the same price that I got Xpress Pro for, now it's almost like throwing away $300

Redsoxwsc07:

purchased Xpress Pro in October, only to find out several months later that there will be no more support for the software, meaning it will never be available on Vista.

What about the guy who spent $1500 on Xpro and had to fork over another $495 to upgrade? You got a great deal! I don't believe the academic versions of any Avid program have ever Been upgradable. and YES - The Red Sox rule!