MICA vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (2,408 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); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

MICA vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University than MICA ($23,027 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 26.2% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,050 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount St. Mary's University (about $8,170 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $48,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at MICA than at Mount St. Mary's University (about $8,170 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $48,630.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Mount St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($40,619 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MICA or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University and MICA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 30 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming MICA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

MICA vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Mount St. Mary's University? 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Mount St. Mary's University 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.