NCA vs. AIU Atlanta

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA with American InterContinental University Atlanta in Atlanta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American InterContinental University Atlanta is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (801 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest College of Art & Design is located in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting); American InterContinental University Atlanta is in Atlanta, GA (Small City setting).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. American InterContinental University Atlanta is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1; American InterContinental University Atlanta 8:1.

NCA vs. AIU Atlanta Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCA or AIU Atlanta? 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 Northwest College of Art & Design than AIU Atlanta ($14,818 vs. $16,482).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American InterContinental University Atlanta are 41.2% lower than at Northwest College of Art & Design ($9,044 vs. $15,384).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is 33.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AIU Atlanta (about $4,573 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $13,527.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.8% higher at NCA than at American InterContinental University Atlanta (about $4,573 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $13,527.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American InterContinental University Atlanta than at Northwest College of Art & Design (90% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students is 98.4% larger than aid received by American InterContinental University Atlanta students ($14,406 vs. $7,261).

NCA vs. AIU Atlanta Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCA or AIU Atlanta? 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 AIU Atlanta and NCA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCA - Test-free; AIU Atlanta - Not reported.

NCA vs. AIU Atlanta Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCA and AIU Atlanta? 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).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than American InterContinental University Atlanta's (16%).
• Graduates from American InterContinental University Atlanta earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest College of Art & Design graduates have a $1,981 lower median loan debt than AIU Atlanta graduates ($31,000 vs. $32,981).
• Among borrowers, NCA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIU Atlanta graduates ($320 vs. $341).
• More NCA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIU Atlanta students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 23%)

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.