MICA vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maryland Institute College of Art is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Salem College 9:1.

MICA vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Salem 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 Salem College than MICA ($18,668 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 32.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($13,710 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 67.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $22,952 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.8% higher at MICA than at Salem College (about $22,952 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($30,001 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 40 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming MICA students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

MICA vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Salem 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).

• Maryland Institute College of Art's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Maryland Institute College of Art earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salem College and MICA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 53%)

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.