MICA vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (3,404 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); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

MICA vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia University than MICA ($30,037 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 15.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($17,180 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arcadia (about $7,190 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at MICA than at Arcadia University (about $7,190 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($34,705 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 20 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

MICA vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Arcadia? 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 Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arcadia University and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Arcadia University and MICA 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 Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.