MICA vs. Salisbury

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (7,025 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); Salisbury University is in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Salisbury University 14:1.

MICA vs. Salisbury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Salisbury? 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 Salisbury University than MICA ($18,760 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 31.9% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($13,900 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 412.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $45,716 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.2% higher at MICA than at Salisbury University (about $34,626 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 224.2% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($29,578 vs. $9,124).

MICA vs. Salisbury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 60 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Salisbury University 1180/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Salisbury University 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Salisbury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 18.4% at Salisbury.

MICA vs. Salisbury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Salisbury? 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 Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,847 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 68%)

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.