MICA vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

MICA vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than MICA ($22,546 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 27.3% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($14,828 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 427.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $46,025 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.3% higher at MICA than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $34,201 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 418.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($29,578 vs. $5,709).

MICA vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is the same as at WCU (1190).
• Incoming MICA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MICA students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 22.4% at WCU.

MICA vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.