MICA vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (8,141 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); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

MICA vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or TCNJ? 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 The College of New Jersey than MICA ($25,580 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 26.6% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($14,976 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 189.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $37,168 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.6% higher at MICA than at The College of New Jersey (about $31,048 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 121.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($29,578 vs. $13,360).

MICA vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 50 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

MICA vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.