Valpo vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

Valpo vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valparaiso University than MICA ($21,766 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 33.2% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($13,618 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valpo (about $8,350 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at MICA than at Valparaiso University (about $8,350 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Maryland Institute College of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($37,548 vs. $29,578).

Valpo vs. MICA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 20 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming MICA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Valpo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 10.4% at MICA.

Valpo vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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).

• The graduation rate at Valpo is the same as at Maryland Institute College of Art (71% vs. 71%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maryland Institute College of Art and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Maryland Institute College of Art and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.