MICA vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

MICA vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than MICA ($19,870 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 23.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,605 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 31.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $13,475 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at MICA than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $13,475 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($33,794 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 50 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

MICA vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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.