MICA vs. Nichols

Maryland Institute College of Art and Nichols College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Maryland Institute College of Art
Nichols College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: MICA (76.8% admitted vs 80.8%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1130.
  • Cheaper after aid: Nichols. Average net price is $32,337 vs $47,834 at MICA.
  • Graduation: MICA 71% vs Nichols 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MICA $40,300 vs Nichols $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

Maryland Institute College of Art Nichols College
Acceptance rate
MICA more selective
MICA76.8%
Nichols80.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MICA higher
MICA1078-1305
Nichols1028-1236
Average net price
Nichols $15,497 less
MICA$47,834
Nichols$32,337
In-state tuition
Nichols $14,095 less
MICA$56,800
Nichols$42,705
Out-of-state tuition
Nichols $14,095 less
MICA$56,800
Nichols$42,705
Graduation rate
MICA +28 pts
MICA71%
Nichols43%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$11,500
MICA$40,300
Nichols$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MICA 3,201
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Admitted
  • MICA 2,458
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Acceptance rate
  • MICA 76.8%
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MICA 10.4%
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • MICA 1190
  • Nichols 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • MICA 29
  • Nichols
  • Average high school GPA
  • MICA 3.47
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • MICA B+
  • Nichols B
  • Admissions standards
  • MICA Difficult
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • MICA
  • Nichols
  • SAT range
  • MICA 1078-1305
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • ACT range
  • MICA 25-33
  • Nichols
  • Submit test scores
  • MICA Test optional
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • MICA Feb 1, 2027
  • Nichols
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MICA $56,800
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MICA $56,800
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Room & board
  • MICA $20,400
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Average net price
  • MICA $47,834
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Average grant aid
  • MICA $29,578
  • Nichols $25,809
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MICA 100%
  • Nichols 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • MICA 71%
  • Nichols 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MICA $40,300
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • MICA 72%
  • Nichols 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MICA $27,000
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • MICA $279
  • Nichols $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MICA 9:1
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • MICA
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • Location
  • MICA Baltimore, MD
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Setting
  • MICA Large City
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • MICA 1,687
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Type
  • MICA Private 4 Year
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MICA #283
  • Nichols #855

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 22.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,800 vs. $20,400).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at MICA than at Nichols College (about $14,095 more per year; $56,800 vs. $42,705).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($29,578 vs. $25,809).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at MICA, open admission at Nichols.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MICA average a 3.47 high school GPA, 0.57 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Nichols College and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Nichols College and MICA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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