MICA vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (1,788 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); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

MICA vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Muhlenberg College? 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 Muhlenberg College than MICA ($34,739 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 28.7% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($14,548 vs. $20,400).
• Muhlenberg College is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MICA (about $6,005 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Maryland Institute College of Art (about $6,005 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $56,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Muhlenberg College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($42,545 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 140 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming Muhlenberg College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at MICA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

MICA vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Muhlenberg College? 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).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $510 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($26,490 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.