About Maryland Institute College of Art

Founded in 1826, Maryland Institute College of Art. is a Private college. Located in Maryland, which is a city setting in Maryland, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 1,730 full time undergraduate students, and 382 full time graduate students.

The Maryland Institute College of Art Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 162 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Maryland Institute College of Art include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate57%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee70
SAT Range1020-1290
ACT Range22-28

Admissions at MICA are considered Selective, with ,16% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

90% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 69% were in the top quarter, and 37% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Maryland Institute College of Art.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
8%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
33%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
42%
“All the time, including weekends”
17%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
67%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
8%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
58%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
8%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
33%
“There might be people who do”
42%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
17%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
8%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
33%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
42%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
42%
“All the time, including weekends”
17%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
67%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
8%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
0%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
100%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
27%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
58%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
8%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
33%
“There might be people who do”
42%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
17%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Maryland Institute College of Art REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    86 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    71 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    95 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    96 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    96 Students rated class size 4.1 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    96 Students rated school activities 3.4 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    96 Students rated local services 3.6 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    96 Students rated academics 3.6 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Maryland Institute College of Art?

14 Students rated Maryland Institute College of Art

Grey - 12/31/2022

MICA has an amazing staff of professors who care about their students. Teachers and students learn from each other. This is only my first year, but I am excited to see where my academic career at MICA grows. I have already learned a surplus of knowledge that will help me with my career and life outside of school.

Jennifer

Overall, MICA is a solid college choice with a strong focus on core classes, but there are some important factors in determining it's the right fit. The facilities are well-designed, but many of the options, such as campus dining and housing, need improvement in quality and price range. First, a lot of the reason I knocked off a star was for price - many of the students in MICA's community are funded by their parents and it's not a problem, but students who have varying financial situations will find the astronomical price tag hard to swallow. Second, MICA's marketing can be misleading if you're expecting a safe, quiet campus with quaint shops. MICA's location in Baltimore City is not at all like the pictures of Hampden and Fells' Point that are in the brochures, and those areas are not very accessible by foot. It's not as dangerous as some areas of Baltimore, but the dynamic of having visibly wealthy art students in a less wealthy neighborhood often causes conflicts such as theft (particularly of personal property like phones), carjacking, and armed robbery. It doesn't happen often, but it happens. Housing: I do not recommend Bolton Hill for off-campus housing. There are other neighborhoods nearby that provide quality housing at better prices. Check for pests such as mice. The temperature of the community is almost entirely very liberal. More conservative students can have a hard time feeling welcome. There's a strong presence of students who are introverted and very focused on their work, and a smaller culture of students use hallucinogens and party drugs and skip class. Coursework is very rigorous, but the people who are passionate about their subject of study don't mind. It's often overwhelming, but has the potential to really further a career. MICA might not be for you if you work more than one job, need to dedicate a lot of time to being social and going to events, or if you have chronic illness or other time-consuming obligations. The 6-hour classes aren't very forgiving in terms of free time or absences.

Bridget

Without MICA I would never be able to have a such an experience with like-minded people. The facility, professors and students work hard to make my education worth wild. The school is a truly a community that helps you build as a person and artist.

Estrellita

While things aren't perfect, and I have only been a student for about 10 weeks here at MICA, I gotta say that things are going pretty well. The Baltimore area can be intimidating a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean things are terrible. The school communities are an awesome part of MICA, both with students and faculty. Maryland Institute College of Art is pretty good so far.

Maryland Institute College of Art FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Maryland Institute College of Art?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Maryland Institute College of Art is 57%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I can't even begin to describe everything I've gotten out of MICA so far. On the most basic level, I've seen my artwork become technically better which was all I was expecting. I didn't realize how much of an impact the school itself, and the environment it presents would have. The idea of what kind of art I can create has expanded exponentially and suddenly it's like worlds of possiblities have opened up. Also, I had never ever been able to think conceptually regarding art before college and I was afraid I would never be able to. I was wrong, because that was the area I've made the biggest strides. Having all my teachers push me and seeing my classmates work has been such a huge influence. I can't imagine going to a non-art school now, because being around other art students, especially all the incredibly talented ones, is such a huge part of creating my work. Without them being so open to my ideas and supportive and inspiring, I would still be making the same crap I did in highschool.

    Read all  117 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    We helped out eachother by giving each other advice.

    Read all  29 answers
  4. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Everyone is welcomed to experience a diverse, talented, and goal-driven group of people. However, there are a few who don't understand the true meaning behind ART. They shouldn't attend Maryland Institute College of Art. Maryland Institute College of Art is an open door for opportunites waiting to be discovered. If one does not have the commitment and passion, then he or she cannot have a career in this field.

    Read all  25 answers
  5. What's unique about your campus?

    There is a great deal of freedom at MICA. They encourage you to grow as a person and develop the skills neccesary to compete in the modern art market.

    Read all  24 answers
  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    The Maryland Institute College of Art is a school that specializes in art and schmoozing in the art world.

    Read all  19 answers
  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Anyone who wants to be at a school where everyone is working their absolute hardest, not because of grades, but because of the satisfaction that comes from making a piece that you can be really proud of. This person should be very devoted to art in general and love doing it. Also very important, this person should be very open-minded and accepting of new things that may seem odd or unorthodox.

    Read all  19 answers
  8. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about my school is where it is located. I like the city of Baltimore well enough, but the crime rate is rather high. There is always a new story about a mugging on campus, and quite frankly it is kind of terrifying.

    Read all  19 answers
  9. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before I came to this school I wish I had known more about the class structure and that I researched my interests before I had come to the school so I had a clear idea of what I would like to take.

    Read all  18 answers
  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    People can be pretentious and it is very expensive!

    Read all  17 answers
  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    MICA caters exclusively to art students. The studio classes are very good and are held once a week for six hours. Academic classes are also only once a week, but they last three hours. The teachers have high expectations and the students generally graduate with strong portfolios. The school offers unique study abroad programs and internship opportunities. For example, I was able to spend a semester in New York City working with NBC news. The school also encourages students to become active participants in the community. Another unique aspect is the school allows students to bring dogs to most classes.

    Read all  16 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Only that the Professors are really good.

    Read all  13 answers
  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    MICA is best known for its fine arts program which is widely recognized as among the top 3 in the US, alongside Yale and Rhode Island. The school is well reputed around the world in many different countries.

    Read all  12 answers
  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    MICA has good people here. They offer a diverse range of classes and majors and truly allow the student to get an education that is rich in diversity and to obtain a breadth of skill in different art fields. This isn't your grandaddy's way of thinking about art! It's a small school, we keep the riff raff out. But that's good because you know everyone and you never get lost in the crowd. You can have lunch with teachers, dean's, and friends and it's all cool. The one downside (maybe?) is that freshmen don't intermingle with upper classmen as much because they have special classes designed for incoming art students. Baltimore City has 7+ colleges right near by. You can take a bus and go to John Hopkins, Toson, etc. University of Baltimore is less then a block away - but it still isn't over populated with 'college kids' it's nice. MICA has breathing room from the stupid parts a big university offers but is still close enough to visit the good. MICA has its own unique flavor. People are pretty smart here, and they love talking about things. That's the most exciting thing.

    Read all  1 answers
  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That all the girls are short and all the guys are gay. And except from some exceptions .... that's pretty much right. But people at MICA are real in ways that I could never find else where. They're some of the best artists in America. Likewise, they are really hard working.

    Read all  1 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Dude, honestly I joined a magazine. But they have anime club, and D&D club. There is student organizations for Koreans, Chinese, Asians, Blacks, etc. Running groups, and soccer teams if you're interested. They have knitting club, singing clubs, Akido, etc. And if they don't have it there isn't much stopping you for making your own.

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    One of the prompt questions above this box asking if the professors know my name. Well, Duh. Of course professors know my name. We have small classes, my smallest so far has been six people and the largest twenty-six. MICA students work all the friggin' time. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. On average we have five classes a semester and each class meets once a week. However, our studio classes are 6 hours and our academic is 3 hours long. It's not bad, and rather nice not to be rushing all over the place - you can sit, work, and digest.

    Read all  1 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Eh. Somewhat.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

74%

female

26%

male

1,730

Total Undergrad Enrollment

382

Total Grad Students

58%

Out-Of-State

16%

In-State

26%

International

Organizations

55

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

37%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
13%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
8%
% White or Caucasian
45%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

95% of students attending Maryland Institute College of Art receive some sort of financial aid. 18% were awarded federal grants. While 45% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$45,400

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,450

Books and Supplies

$12,450

Room and Board

59,300

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$30,994
$30 - $48K
$32,516
$48 - $75K
$40,363
$75 - $110K
$39,837
$110K & UP
$43,033

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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