AIC vs. MCLA

Comparable Facts

Compare American International College in Springfield, MA with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American International College is larger than MCLA based on total student enrollment (2,037 students vs. 896 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American International College is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in North Adams, MA (Distant Town setting).
• American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American International College 16:1; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 8:1.

AIC vs. MCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AIC or MCLA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts than AIC ($16,544 vs. $23,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 8.1% lower than at American International College ($15,386 vs. $16,750).
• American International College is 255.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCLA (about $31,794 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $12,436.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.9% higher at AIC than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (about $22,849 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $21,381.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American International College than at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 300% larger than aid received by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students ($36,184 vs. $9,045).

AIC vs. MCLA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AIC or MCLA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MCLA and AIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1070) is 40 points higher than at AIC (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American International College 940/1110; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMassachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AIC - Test-free; MCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AIC Sep 7, 2026.
• Accepted freshman MCLA students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at AIC (2.91).
• AIC has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than MCLA (89.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at AIC vs. 11.5% at MCLA.

AIC vs. MCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AIC and MCLA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than American International College's (36%).
• Graduates from American International College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than MCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates have a $2,341 lower median loan debt than AIC graduates ($24,659 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MCLA graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIC graduates ($254 vs. $279).
• More MCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.