MICA vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MICA vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or SU? 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 Southwestern University than MICA ($32,228 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 26.1% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,072 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $2,987 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at MICA than at Southwestern University (about $2,987 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($35,162 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 30 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 13.8% at SU.

MICA vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.