SC vs. AIC

Comparable Facts

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

American International College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (2,037 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); American International College is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; American International College 16:1.

SC vs. AIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC or AIC? 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 American International College than SC ($23,086 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 42.8% lower than at American International College ($9,586 vs. $16,750).
• American International College is 31.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SC (about $10,530 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at AIC than at Sterling College (about $10,530 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $33,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College as at American International College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 52.8% larger than aid received by Sterling College students ($36,184 vs. $23,673).

SC vs. AIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is the same as at AIC (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; American International College 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; AIC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; AIC Sep 7, 2026.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at AIC (2.91).
• AIC has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 11.2% at AIC.

SC vs. AIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC and AIC? 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 (48%) is higher than American International College's (36%).
• Graduates from American International College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than AIC graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIC graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.