Howard vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Howard 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: Howard University 13:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

Howard vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard University than MICA ($33,368 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 15.1% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($17,322 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 58.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $20,990 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at MICA than at Howard University (about $20,990 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 39.1% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($29,578 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. MICA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 20 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 10.4% at MICA.

Howard vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maryland Institute College of Art and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Maryland Institute College of Art and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 33%)

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.