MICA vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (2,261 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); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

MICA vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or SPU? 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 Seattle Pacific University than MICA ($25,232 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 19.2% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($16,491 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 40.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $16,393 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at MICA than at Seattle Pacific University (about $16,393 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($31,558 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is the same as at SPU (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MICA (3.47).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 15.8% at SPU.

MICA vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and SPU? 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).

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($264 vs. $279).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.