Maryland vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

Maryland vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or MICA? 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 of Maryland College Park than MICA ($16,581 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 21.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,958 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 381% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $44,991 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.9% higher at MICA than at University of Maryland College Park (about $15,614 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at University of Maryland College Park (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 129.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($29,578 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. MICA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 280 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at MICA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 10.4% at MICA.

Maryland vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and MICA? 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).

• University of Maryland College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $28,000 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Maryland 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.