MICA vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (5,381 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); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

MICA vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MICA or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University than MICA ($28,511 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 20.8% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($16,166 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $13,304 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at MICA than at Wilkes University (about $13,304 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Maryland Institute College of Art as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($29,578 vs. $28,324).

MICA vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 50 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming MICA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MICA - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at MICA vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

MICA vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MICA and Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes 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.