ECSU vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

ECSU vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or MICA? 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 Eastern Connecticut State University than MICA ($21,512 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Connecticut State University are 14.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($17,445 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 307.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $42,872 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.9% higher at MICA than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $39,372 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Eastern Connecticut State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 182.2% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($29,578 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. MICA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or MICA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MICA and ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 20 points higher than at ECSU (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMaryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ECSU (3.4).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 10.4% at MICA.

ECSU vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and MICA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Maryland Institute College of Art's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Eastern Connecticut State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 68%)

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.