Maryland Institute College of Art's published cost of attendance is $76,860, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $32,389; middle-income families pay around $45,071; higher-income families pay approximately $50,918.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $76,860 |
| Tuition and Fees | $56,800 |
| Room and Board | $20,400 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$34,131 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $42,729 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $32,389 |
| $30–48k | $35,223 |
| $48–75k | $45,071 |
| $75–110k | $45,906 |
| $110k+ | $50,918 |
Maryland Institute College of Art's published cost of attendance is $76,860, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $32,389; middle-income families pay around $45,071; higher-income families pay approximately $50,918. Azimuth ranks Maryland Institute College of Art #1399 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. MICA's aid structure combines need-based institutional aid with federal and state grant programs. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and families apply using the FAFSA. Merit scholarships are available for students who meet academic and artistic criteria, supplementing need-based aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $63,100; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $42,353, median federal debt of $26,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $299 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is moderate relative to earnings. Manageable for most graduates, but higher-debt borrowers should plan carefully.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Maryland Institute College of Art earn median 4-year earnings of $42,353, placing Maryland Institute College of Art in the 2.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $29,976 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Maryland Institute College of Art in the 2.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Maryland Institute College of Art #1449 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Maryland Institute College of Art's concentrated focus on visual and performing arts. Fine and Studio Arts is the largest program with 126 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $34,283, at 0.8× the national benchmark for the field. Design and Applied Arts follows with 104 graduates earning $45,436, and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication rounds out the top programs with 72 graduates. Graphic Communications and Film/Video and Photographic Arts together account for additional cohort scale, with Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,227 at 1.0× the national benchmark. This portfolio of creative and design-focused majors drives Maryland Institute College of Art's earnings outcomes and positions graduates in fields where artistic skill and creative problem-solving command sustained market value.
