MICA vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (3,333 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); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

MICA vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than MICA ($18,211 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 19.4% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($16,436 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 534.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $47,847 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.8% higher at MICA than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $37,597 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 183.5% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($29,578 vs. $10,432).

MICA vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 90 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

MICA vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Maryland Institute College of Art earn a median of about $100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.