MICA vs. Elon

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Elon University 11:1.

MICA vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Elon? 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 Elon University than MICA ($44,440 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 26.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($14,985 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $9,842 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at MICA than at Elon University (about $9,842 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Elon University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 65.5% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($29,578 vs. $17,867).

MICA vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 13.4% at Elon.

MICA vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Elon? 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.