MICA vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (5,892 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); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

MICA vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than MICA ($15,340 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 24.3% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,452 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 400.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $45,454 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.9% higher at MICA than at Fitchburg State University (about $39,374 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 156.3% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($29,578 vs. $11,539).

MICA vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 40 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• 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; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

MICA vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.