Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 73.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 71.3%
- Retention Rate
- 85.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $45,212
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 73.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $281/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $67,240 | $39,905 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $50,782 | $44,330 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $38,289 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,504 | $26,842 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $21,964 | $98,610 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $19,786 | $26,677 |
Outcomes Overview
MICA graduates face a common art school reality: modest starting salaries but decent long-term prospects. One year after graduation, the median salary hits $23,881, climbing to $38,805 after five years and $45,212 after ten years. With median debt of $26,500 and monthly loan payments of $281, new graduates spend about 14% of their income on student loans. This debt-to-income ratio of 0.59 is reasonable for an art degree. Many alumni work as graphic designers, illustrators, museum curators, or start their own studios. The 90.4% employment rate shows MICA's strong industry connections in Baltimore and beyond. While you won't get rich quickly, this represents an average return on investment for specialized art education.