Maryland Institute College of Art

University in Baltimore, The United States

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a private, independent college of art and design in Baltimore, Maryland (United States). Founded in 1826, it describes itself as the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the country. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1.

Undergraduates start with a common First Year Experience and then choose a major, from Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting and Photography to Game Design, Interior Design and Film & Video, with co-majors and minors. At graduate level MICA offers MFA, MA, MAT and MPS programmes, and a Design Leadership MA/MBA with Johns Hopkins. Students can also take classes through an exchange with 14 other Baltimore colleges and universities.

International students apply through the Common App or MICA’s own application, and the portfolio is an important part of the application. International admission counselors offer weekly one-on-one meetings and portfolio reviews, and the admissions team guides students through the US visa process. On-campus housing is in apartments with single or shared bedrooms.

Haz click aquí para ver este centro en español

Programmes

All undergraduates take the First Year Experience and then choose a major (BFA or BDes), optionally with a co-major or minor:

Animation, Illustration, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, General Fine Arts
Graphic Design, Design and Innovation, Interior Design (BDes), User Experience Design (BDes, online)
Film & Video, Creative Media Production, Game Design, Interactive Arts
Fiber, Fashion, and Textile; Interdisciplinary Sculpture
History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture; Ecosystems, Sustainability & Justice
Co-majors such as Architectural Design, Bio Design, Product Design and Sound Art
Art Education 4+1 (BFA/MAT)

Graduate programmes

MFA: Community Arts, Curatorial Practice, Filmmaking, Graphic Design, Illustration Practice, LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting, Mount Royal School of Art (multidisciplinary), Photography + Media & Society, Rinehart School of Sculpture, Studio Art (summer low-residency)
MA: Graphic Design (also online), Illustration, Social Design
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Design Leadership MA/MBA with Johns Hopkins
MPS: Business for Creatives, Data Visualization and Communication, User Experience Design, Product Management (online), Game Design

The graduate community has more than 300 students from more than 20 countries.

Admission

Undergraduate applicants use either the Common App or MICA’s own application; both are weighted equally. The portfolio is an important part of the application, and applicants can have it reviewed at a National Portfolio Day or in a one-on-one review with an admission counselor. The undergraduate application fee is US$60. Key dates for undergraduates:

16 November 2026: spring 2027 application deadline and Early Action priority date for fall 2027
1 February 2027: fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline (first-year students)
15 March 2027: fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline (transfer students)

After these dates, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while space is available.

Fees

Undergraduate costs for the 2026-27 academic year:

Tuition (full-time, 12 to 19.5 credits): US$58,310 per year (US$29,155 per semester)
On-campus housing: US$7,225 per semester (single bedroom in an apartment) or US$6,500 per semester (shared bedroom)
Meal plans: from US$1,350 to US$2,500 per semester
Mandatory fees: Student Life Fee US$1,375 and Technology Fee US$810 per year; one-time Orientation Fee US$225
Health insurance: about US$3,500 per year (waived with proof of own coverage)

Deadlines

16 November 2026: spring 2027 application deadline (first-year and transfer) and Early Action priority date for fall 2027
1 February 2027: fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline (first-year students)
15 March 2027: fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline (transfer students)

Housing

On-campus housing is in apartments, with a single or a shared bedroom, and includes utilities and high-speed Internet. The Housing Agreement covers the full academic year. First-year and second-year students living on campus must take a meal plan of at least 150 meals; dining is at the Meyerhoff House Dining Room and Café Doris.