WestConn vs. AIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with American International College in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than AIC based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 2,037 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); American International College is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. American International College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; American International College 16:1.

WestConn vs. AIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University than AIC ($17,185 vs. $23,086).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 6.5% lower than at American International College ($15,659 vs. $16,750).
• American International College is 230% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $30,829 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.7% higher at AIC than at Western Connecticut State University (about $27,329 more per year; $44,230.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American International College than at Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American International College students is 181.1% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($36,184 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. AIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 80 points higher than at AIC (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; American International College 940/1110.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; AIC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AIC Sep 7, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at AIC (2.91).
• AIC has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 11.2% at AIC.

WestConn vs. AIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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).

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than American International College's (36%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than AIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than AIC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AIC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIC students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.