Cornell College vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

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

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Cornell College 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: Cornell College 14:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

Cornell College vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College 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 Cornell College than MICA ($25,220 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 41.9% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($11,850 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $4,140 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at MICA than at Cornell College (about $4,140 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Maryland Institute College of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($41,092 vs. $29,578).

Cornell College vs. MICA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College 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 Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 10 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 10.4% at MICA.

Cornell College vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College 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).

• Maryland Institute College of Art's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maryland Institute College of Art and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Maryland Institute College of Art and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.