MICA vs. UB

Comparable Facts

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

University at Buffalo is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (31,903 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); University at Buffalo is in Buffalo, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Buffalo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; University at Buffalo 11:1.

MICA vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or UB? 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 University at Buffalo than MICA ($20,529 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Buffalo are 14.6% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($17,426 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 419.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $45,864 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $10,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.1% higher at MICA than at University at Buffalo (about $25,264 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $31,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at University at Buffalo (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 177.4% larger than aid received by University at Buffalo students ($29,578 vs. $10,663).

MICA vs. UB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Buffalo (1300) is 110 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at UB (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; University at Buffalo 1210/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; University at Buffalo 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; UB - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UB students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than UB (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 14.1% at UB.

MICA vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and UB? 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).

• The graduation rate at MICA is the same as at University at Buffalo (71% vs. 71%).
• Graduates from University at Buffalo earn a median of about $18,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Buffalo graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 70%)

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.