Simpson College vs. MICA

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson College in Indianola, IA with Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Maryland Institute College of Art is larger than Simpson College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson College is located in Indianola, IA (Distant Town setting); Maryland Institute College of Art is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• Simpson College 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: Simpson College 12:1; Maryland Institute College of Art 9:1.

Simpson College vs. MICA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson College 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 Simpson College than MICA ($23,282 vs. $47,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson College are 48.5% lower than at Maryland Institute College of Art ($10,500 vs. $20,400).
• Maryland Institute College of Art is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Simpson College (about $9,144 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at MICA than at Simpson College (about $9,144 more per year; $56,800.00 vs. $47,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Simpson College as at Maryland Institute College of Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson College students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Maryland Institute College of Art students ($37,896 vs. $29,578).

Simpson College vs. MICA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson College 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 Simpson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Maryland Institute College of Art (1190) is 100 points higher than at Simpson College (1090).
• Incoming MICA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Simpson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 890/1280; Maryland Institute College of Art 1078/1305.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson College 20/27; Maryland Institute College of Art 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson College - Test optional; MICA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson College Aug 15, 2027; MICA Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simpson College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at MICA (3.47).
• Simpson College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than MICA (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Simpson College vs. 10.4% at MICA.

Simpson College vs. MICA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Simpson College 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 Simpson College's (69%).
• Graduates from Simpson College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than MICA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maryland Institute College of Art and Simpson College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Maryland Institute College of Art and Simpson College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Simpson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MICA students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.