MICA vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (38,857 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 Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

MICA vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Virginia Tech? 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 Tech than MICA ($24,912 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 18.9% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($16,550 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 256.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Tech (about $40,852 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $15,948.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at MICA than at Virginia Tech (about $19,036 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at Virginia Tech (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 222.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($29,578 vs. $9,168).

MICA vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 180 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at MICA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

MICA vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Maryland Institute College of Art's (71%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have a $3,034 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,966 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Virginia Tech graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.