MICA vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Catawba College 13:1.

MICA vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Catawba College? 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 Catawba College than MICA ($18,447 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 33.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($13,565 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 65.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $22,500 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.6% higher at MICA than at Catawba College (about $22,500 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Catawba College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($30,808 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 20 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
• Incoming MICA students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Catawba College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

MICA vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Catawba College? 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 Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Catawba College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

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.