Maryland Institute College of Art campus

MICA Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Baltimore, MD
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#3 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

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MICA Admission Overview

MICA admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year MICA admitted 76.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (B+) and SAT 1078-1305 / ACT 25-33. MICA is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MICA is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MICA Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

76.8%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The MICA acceptance rate is 76.8%. Last year, 2,458 of 3,201 applicants were admitted. That is the 15th lowest acceptance rate in Maryland.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into MICA and can you get accepted?

MICA is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Maryland Institute College of Art typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.47. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MICA GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.47

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.47

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at MICA typically have around a 3.47 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. MICA is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #13 in Maryland for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

MICA SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1078-1305

Freshmen who sent SAT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 570
Math 508
Composite 1078

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 635
Composite 1305

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at MICA typically score around a 1190 SAT (middle 50% 1078–1305) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 74th percentile nationally. MICA ranks #11 in the state of Maryland for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1078 to 1305

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

MICA is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Maryland Institute College of Art
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1305+	Above 75th	>86%
1190 to 1305	Avg +	77%-86%
1078 to 1190	Avg -	64%-77%
Below 1078	Below mid-50	<64%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MICA ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 24
Composite 25

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 27
Composite 33

Average ACT

Incoming testers at MICA typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 25–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. MICA places #4 among colleges in Maryland and #172 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to MICA without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Maryland Institute College of Art
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
33+	Above 75th	>86%
29 to 33	Avg +	77%-86%
25 to 29	Avg -	64%-77%
Below 25	Below mid-50	<64%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the MICA chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Maryland Institute College of Art admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,494	701	3,201
Accepted	1,992	462	2,458
Acceptance Rate	80%	66%	77%
Enrolled	199	55	255
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	10%	12%	10%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Maryland Institute College of Art and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Maryland Institute College of Art application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Required to be considered for admission

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

154

Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Maryland Institute College of Art is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Maryland Institute College of Art
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

MICA is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 76.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1078-1305); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025