SHU vs. AIC

Sacred Heart University and American International College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sacred Heart University
American International College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SHU (65.4% admitted vs 99.6%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: AIC. Average net price is $23,086 vs $47,848 at SHU.
  • Graduation: SHU 68% vs AIC 36%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SHU $59,700 vs AIC $46,400 (median).
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Key differences

Sacred Heart University American International College
Acceptance rate
SHU more selective
SHU65.4%
AIC99.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AIC higher
SHU-
AIC940-1110
Average net price
AIC $24,762 less
SHU$47,848
AIC$23,086
In-state tuition
AIC $6,174 less
SHU$50,404
AIC$44,230
Out-of-state tuition
AIC $6,174 less
SHU$50,404
AIC$44,230
Graduation rate
SHU +32 pts
SHU68%
AIC36%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHU +$13,300
SHU$59,700
AIC$46,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SHU 16,495
  • AIC 2,540
  • Admitted
  • SHU 10,781
  • AIC 2,529
  • Acceptance rate
  • SHU 65.4%
  • AIC 99.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SHU 17.5%
  • AIC 11.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHU
  • AIC 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHU
  • AIC
  • Average high school GPA
  • SHU 3.55
  • AIC 2.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • SHU A-
  • AIC B
  • Admissions standards
  • SHU Unavailable
  • AIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SHU Low
  • AIC
  • SAT range
  • SHU
  • AIC 940-1110
  • ACT range
  • SHU
  • AIC
  • Submit test scores
  • SHU Test-free
  • AIC Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • SHU
  • AIC Sep 7, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SHU $50,404
  • AIC $44,230
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SHU $50,404
  • AIC $44,230
  • Room & board
  • SHU $19,140
  • AIC $16,750
  • Average net price
  • SHU $47,848
  • AIC $23,086
  • Average grant aid
  • SHU $21,625
  • AIC $36,184
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SHU 99%
  • AIC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SHU 68%
  • AIC 36%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SHU $59,700
  • AIC $46,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • SHU 76%
  • AIC 49%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SHU $25,000
  • AIC $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SHU $258
  • AIC $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SHU 15:1
  • AIC 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • SHU
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • AIC
    • Business (25%)
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • SHU Fairfield, CT
  • AIC Springfield, MA
  • Setting
  • SHU Large Suburban
  • AIC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SHU 11,022
  • AIC 2,037
  • Type
  • SHU Private 4 Year
  • AIC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SHU
  • AIC #1030

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with American International College in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than AIC based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 2,037 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); American International College is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; American International College 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American International College are 12.5% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($16,750 vs. $19,140).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at SHU than at American International College (about $6,174 more per year; $50,404 vs. $44,230).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American International College than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 67.3% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($36,184 vs. $21,625).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both SHU and AIC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AIC Sep 7, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SHU average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.64 higher than at AIC (2.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 11.2% at AIC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than AIC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 49%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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