AIC vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare American International College in Springfield, MA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American International College is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (2,037 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American International College is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American International College 16:1; Sterling College 7:1.

AIC vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AIC or Sterling College? 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 Sterling College than AIC ($21,854 vs. $23,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 34.6% lower than at American International College ($10,950 vs. $16,750).
• American International College is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $3,470 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at AIC than at Sterling College (about $3,470 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at American International College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($36,184 vs. $32,556).

AIC vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AIC or Sterling College? 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 Sterling College and AIC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American International College 940/1110.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AIC - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AIC Sep 7, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sterling College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at AIC (2.91).
• AIC has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at AIC vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

AIC vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AIC and Sterling College? 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than American International College's (36%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than AIC graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIC graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.