MICA vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (4,454 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); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

MICA vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than MICA ($27,181 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 38.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($12,490 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $19,850 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at MICA than at Shenandoah University (about $19,850 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($29,578 vs. $24,747).

MICA vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 70 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming MICA students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MICA (3.47).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 16.7% at SU.

MICA vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

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.