MICA vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (26,940 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); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

MICA vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or ECU? 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 East Carolina University than MICA ($13,755 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 43.4% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($11,541 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 671.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $49,439 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.3% higher at MICA than at East Carolina University (about $33,162 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 202.6% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($29,578 vs. $9,776).

MICA vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 30 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming MICA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 17.1% at ECU.

MICA vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and ECU? 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 East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.