MICA vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New England University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (3,674 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); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Western New England University 12:1.

MICA vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University than MICA ($27,056 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 23.7% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,570 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 18.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western New England University (about $8,980 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at MICA than at Western New England University (about $8,980 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Western New England University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($33,067 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MICA or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University and MICA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is 10 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Western New England University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Western New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Western New England University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

MICA vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Western New England University? 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).

• Maryland Institute College of Art's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Western New England University's (61%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western New England University and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Western New England University and MICA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.