MICA vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (8,991 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); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Mercy University 16:1.

MICA vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Mercy? 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 Mercy University than MICA ($15,200 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 25.2% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,250 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 148.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $33,920 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.3% higher at MICA than at Mercy University (about $33,920 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Mercy University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 67.4% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($29,578 vs. $17,664).

MICA vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 60 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming MICA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Mercy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

MICA vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Mercy? 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 Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Mercy University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 40%)

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.