MICA vs. Pratt Institute vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Maryland Institute College of Art, Pratt Institute Main, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Maryland Institute College of Art
Pratt Institute Main
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

At a glance

  • Lowest net price: MICA ($47,834 a year). Next is Pratt Institute at $54,150, about $6,316 more. Pratt Institute and School of the Art Institute of Chicago are within 5% of each other ($54,150, $55,631).
  • Hardest to get into: Pratt Institute (73.3% admitted, typical SAT 1270). MICA is close behind (76.8%, SAT 1190); School of the Art Institute of Chicago 77.5%.
  • Highest graduation rate: MICA (71%). Then Pratt Institute 62%, School of the Art Institute of Chicago 60%.
  • Highest median earnings: Pratt Institute ($49,200 ten years after starting college). Then MICA $40,300, School of the Art Institute of Chicago $39,100.
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Key differences

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Measure MICA Pratt Institute School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Acceptance ratePratt Institute most selective 76.8% 73.3% 77.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)Pratt Institute highest 1078-1305 1150-1390 1048-1260
Average net priceMICA lowest $47,834 $54,150 $55,631
In-state tuitionSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago lowest $56,800 $61,845 $56,420
Out-of-state tuitionSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago lowest $56,800 $61,845 $56,420
Graduation rateMICA highest 71% 62% 60%
Median earnings (10 years)Pratt Institute highest $40,300 $49,200 $39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MICA 3,201
  • Pratt Institute 8,457
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 6,626
  • Admitted
  • MICA 2,458
  • Pratt Institute 6,195
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 5,133
  • Acceptance rate
  • MICA 76.8%
  • Pratt Institute 73.3%
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 77.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MICA 10.4%
  • Pratt Institute 18.3%
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 11.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MICA 1190
  • Pratt Institute 1270
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • MICA 29
  • Pratt Institute 28
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • MICA 3.47
  • Pratt Institute 3.86
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 3.51
  • Typical high school grades
  • MICA B+
  • Pratt Institute A
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago A-
  • Admissions standards
  • MICA Difficult
  • Pratt Institute Very High
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • MICA
  • Pratt Institute Low
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • SAT range
  • MICA 1078-1305
  • Pratt Institute 1150-1390
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048-1260
  • ACT range
  • MICA 25-33
  • Pratt Institute 26-31
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22-25
  • Submit test scores
  • MICA Test optional
  • Pratt Institute Test optional
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • MICA Feb 1, 2027
  • Pratt Institute Jan 5, 2027
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MICA $56,800
  • Pratt Institute $61,845
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $56,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MICA $56,800
  • Pratt Institute $61,845
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $56,420
  • Room & board
  • MICA $20,400
  • Pratt Institute $17,336
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $16,550
  • Average net price
  • MICA $47,834
  • Pratt Institute $54,150
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $55,631
  • Average grant aid
  • MICA $29,578
  • Pratt Institute $26,021
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $20,050
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MICA 100%
  • Pratt Institute 78%
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • MICA 71%
  • Pratt Institute 62%
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 60%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MICA $40,300
  • Pratt Institute $49,200
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • MICA 72%
  • Pratt Institute 76%
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 62%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MICA $27,000
  • Pratt Institute $26,250
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $25,713
  • Median loan payment
  • MICA $279
  • Pratt Institute $271
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago $265
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MICA 9:1
  • Pratt Institute 9:1
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • MICA
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Pratt Institute
    • Visual and Performing Arts (80%)
    • Architecture (14%)
    • English and Literature (3%)
    • Education (2%)
    • Business (2%)
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
    • Visual and Performing Arts (96%)
    • English and Literature (3%)
    • Architecture (2%)
  • Location
  • MICA Baltimore, MD
  • Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • MICA Large City
  • Pratt Institute Large City
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • MICA 1,687
  • Pratt Institute 5,356
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago 3,394
  • Type
  • MICA Private 4 Year
  • Pratt Institute Private 4 Year
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MICA #283
  • Pratt Institute #229
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago #459

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD, Pratt Institute Main in Brooklyn, NY, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

By total student enrollment, Pratt Institute Main is the largest of the three (5,356 students), followed by School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3,394) and MICA (1,687).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Settings: Baltimore, MD (Large City); Brooklyn, NY (Large City); Chicago, IL (Large City).
  • Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Pratt Institute Main is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: MICA 9:1; Pratt Institute 9:1; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are lowest at School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($16,550) and highest at MICA ($20,400); Pratt Institute $17,336.
  • The largest share of students receiving grant aid is at MICA (100%), then School of the Art Institute of Chicago (99%) and Pratt Institute (78%).
  • Average grant aid: MICA $29,578; Pratt Institute $26,021; School of the Art Institute of Chicago $20,050.

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate): MICA 29; Pratt Institute 28; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 23.
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at MICA and Pratt Institute, test-free at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026; Pratt Institute Jan 5, 2027; MICA Feb 1, 2027.
  • Average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen: Pratt Institute 3.86; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 3.51; MICA 3.47.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield): Pratt Institute 18.3%; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 11.8%; MICA 10.4%.

Loans and repayment

  • Median federal loan debt among borrowers: School of the Art Institute of Chicago $25,713; Pratt Institute $26,250; MICA $27,000.
  • Median monthly federal loan payment: School of the Art Institute of Chicago $265; Pratt Institute $271; MICA $279.
  • Share of former students actively paying back federal loans three years after graduation: Pratt Institute 76%; MICA 72%; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 62%.

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

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