OBU vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

Compare Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR with Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ouachita Baptist University is larger than MICA based on total student enrollment (1,858 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Ouachita Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Maryland Institute College of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ouachita Baptist University 14:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

OBU vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OBU or MICA? 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 Ouachita Baptist University than MICA ($24,532 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ouachita Baptist University are 52.4% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($9,720 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 64.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than OBU (about $22,300 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at MICA than at Ouachita Baptist University (about $22,300 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ouachita Baptist University as at Maryland Institute College of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Ouachita Baptist University students ($29,578 vs. $22,830).

OBU vs. MICA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 10 points higher than at OBU (1180).
• Incoming MICA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at OBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 1070/1280; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ouachita Baptist University 22/28; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OBU - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OBU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MICA (3.47).
• MICA has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than OBU (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at OBU vs. 10.4% at MICA.

OBU vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OBU and MICA? 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 Ouachita Baptist University's (63%).
• Graduates from Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ouachita Baptist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than MICA graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, OBU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MICA graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More MICA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OBU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 71%)

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.