MICA vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (21,153 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); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Drexel University 9:1.

MICA vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Drexel? 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 Drexel University than MICA ($42,801 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 11.3% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($18,096 vs. $20,400).
• Drexel University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MICA (about $5,612 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Drexel than at Maryland Institute College of Art (about $5,612 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Drexel University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($35,051 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 150 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Drexel (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

MICA vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $37,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $757 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($26,243 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.