MICA vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

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

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

MICA vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College than MICA ($23,691 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 34.3% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($13,406 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cedar Crest College (about $10,486 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $46,314.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at MICA than at Cedar Crest College (about $10,486 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $46,314.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Cedar Crest College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($33,323 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MICA or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College and MICA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 70 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• 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; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• 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 Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

MICA vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maryland Institute College of Art graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, MICA graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($279 vs. $286).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 59%)

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.