Maryland Institute College of Art
#7 Best Communications Colleges in Maryland- Graduation Rate
- 72% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,212 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $42,729 F
- 149% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.0 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Communications Colleges in Maryland.
Every $1 spent returns $8.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,195,393.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Maryland Institute College of Art Matters
Maryland Institute College of Art is a private special-focus institution in Baltimore, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 1,189
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Communications
Why students choose Maryland Institute College of Art
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1078–1305. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $42,729 a year after grants and scholarships — 149% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,212 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $26,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 46% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 77%, Maryland Institute College of Art is a great fit for students passionate about the arts and creative fields. Here, you’ll find a vibrant community where people study Visual & Performing Arts and Communications. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in art and design, this college prioritizes creativity and hands-on experience, making it an appealing choice for aspiring artists.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $45,212 within ten years. That’s a solid start, especially considering the college’s focus on practical skills and industry connections. For those who receive financial aid, the net price sits at $42,729, which is worth considering when comparing potential earnings to costs. While we don’t have specific mobility rates, the commitment to preparing students for the workforce is clear.
When it comes to finances, the median debt for graduates is about $26,500. This means students are likely to enter the workforce with a manageable debt level, especially in relation to their potential earnings. Those who thrive here are often driven, creative, and ready to dive into a community that values artistic expression. If you’re serious about a career in the arts and appreciate a supportive environment, this school could be a good match for you.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Maryland Institute College of Art is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Maryland Institute College of Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Baltimore, Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1258
- SAT Range
- 1078–1305
- ACT Range
- 25–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 17%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,574
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.82
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 3,139
- Admitted
- 2,498
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Maryland Institute College of Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Maryland Institute College of Art is $56,800, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $42,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,389 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $56,800
- Out-of-State
- $56,800
- Avg Net Price
- $42,729
- Median Debt
- $26,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,389
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $35,223
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $45,071
- Family Income $110K+
- $50,918
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Maryland Institute College of Art — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Maryland Institute College of Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Maryland Institute College of Art earn a median of $45,212, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,451
- 8 Years
- $37,601
- 10 Years
- $45,212
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.59x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (289)
- 64%
- 100% (289)
- 64%
- 100% (289)
- 64%
- 100% (289)
- 64%
How Maryland Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Maryland Institute College of Art Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Maryland Institute College of Art delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $42,729/year ($170,916 total). Graduates earn $45,212 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,366,309 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,195,393 (8.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 72% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $170,916
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,366,309
- Net Return
- $1,195,393
- ROI Multiple
- 8.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $42,729
- Median Debt
- $26,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Maryland Institute College of Art Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Maryland Institute College of Art is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. About 5.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $117,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.54%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $159,098
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,151,666
- Investment Income
- $-7,045,216
Top Programs
The fields Maryland Institute College of Art awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 71% $32,680 early-career
- Communications 16%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Maryland Institute College of Art's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Animator$86,120 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Video Producer$82,510 · 3% growthAdaptable 60
- D+Technical Writer$80,050 · 4% growthVulnerable 48
- D+Fashion Designer$79,600 · 1% growthAdaptable 60
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Maryland Institute College of Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Baltimore, Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,258. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Maryland Institute College of Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Maryland Institute College of Art is $56,800, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $42,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,389 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,500 in federal student loans.
Is Maryland Institute College of Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Maryland Institute College of Art earn a median of $45,212, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Maryland Institute College of Art Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Maryland Institute College of Art is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. About 5.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $117,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Maryland Institute College of Art? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Maryland Institute College of Art. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Maryland Institute College of Art.
- College for Creative StudiesDetroit, MI · Close peer70% grad $44,860 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grace College and Theological SeminaryWinona Lake, IN · Close peer69% grad $45,411 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Close peer51% grad $43,418 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Ringling College of Art and DesignSarasota, FL · Close peer71% grad $43,325 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL · Close peer62% grad $45,399 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Maryland Institute College of Art? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Maryland Institute College of Art. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note