MICA vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (8,238 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); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

MICA vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than MICA ($29,325 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 22.4% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($15,834 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $9,295 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at MICA than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $9,295 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($35,007 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 60 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

MICA vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $82,600 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($12,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($129 vs. $279).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.