MICA vs. Carroll College

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Carroll College in Helena, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Carroll College is in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Carroll College 12:1.

MICA vs. Carroll College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Carroll College? 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 Carroll College than MICA ($25,575 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 43.4% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($11,548 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carroll College (about $15,316 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at MICA than at Carroll College (about $15,316 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $41,484.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Carroll College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($30,058 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Carroll College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MICA or Carroll College? 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 Carroll College and MICA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 10 points higher than at Carroll College (1180).
• Incoming MICA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Carroll College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Carroll College 1050/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Carroll College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 21.6% at Carroll College.

MICA vs. Carroll College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Carroll College? 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 Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Carroll College earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carroll College and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carroll College and MICA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 72%)

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.