MICA vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (1,853 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 Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

MICA vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or VWC? 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 Wesleyan University than MICA ($21,267 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 41.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($11,930 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 51.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $19,300 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at MICA than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $19,300 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($29,923 vs. $29,578).

MICA vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 60 points higher than at MICA (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at VWC (3.39).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 11.9% at VWC.

MICA vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and VWC? 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 Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and MICA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and MICA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

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.