MICA vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (21,570 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); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

MICA vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or ASU? 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 Appalachian State University than MICA ($14,978 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 36.9% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($12,868 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 649.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $49,221 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.3% higher at MICA than at Appalachian State University (about $31,588 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 269.1% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($29,578 vs. $8,014).

MICA vs. ASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State 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 ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at MICA (3.47).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 18.2% at ASU.

MICA vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and ASU? 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 Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU 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.