MICA vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (35,173 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); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

MICA vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than MICA ($22,520 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 13.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($17,580 vs. $20,400).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 26.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MICA (about $15,045 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.5% higher at Columbia than at Maryland Institute College of Art (about $15,045 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 126.6% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($67,010 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 360 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at MICA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

MICA vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $67,300 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.