MICA vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

MICA vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than MICA ($26,836 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 10.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($18,254 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 235.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $39,855 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at MICA than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $16,691 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 108.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($29,578 vs. $14,186).

MICA vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 50 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming MICA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at MICA (3.47).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 21.6% at VCU.

MICA vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.