AIC recognized by US News & World Report for Social Mobility Access

SPRINGFIELD, MA – American International College has been recognized as a top performer for social mobility by the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. AIC’s ranking tied for number sixty-nine, placing the College second in Massachusetts in the report’s National College category, behind only the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“AIC, and its faculty and staff, understand that earning a college degree is vital in increasing and achieving social mobility,” said College President Hubert Benitez, DDS, PhD. “For this reason, AIC continues to strive to offer a high-quality education at an affordable cost, leading to a successful career path. In doing so, it is committed to helping every student, despite their background, to succeed.”

Economically disadvantaged students are less likely to finish college, according to U.S. News & World Report. However, some institutions, such as AIC, have shown an intentional commitment to increase access to education, and as a result, are showing progress in advancing social mobility. This is done, in part, by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students who have been awarded federal Pell Grants as part of their financial aid packages. Most of these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000. Of the 1,168 undergraduate students enrolled at AIC for the Fall 2022 semester, nearly half received a Pell Grant.

“Today, students who attend higher education institutions come from very diverse backgrounds, and the landscape shows vast social and economic disparities,” added Benitez. “Despite inherent obstacles, AIC is keeping true to its commitment to prepare and serve lower-income students, and it continues to take steps towards bridging the gaps, focusing on being an institution where access, opportunity, equity, and belonging are defining characteristics.”

The overall rankings from the U.S. News & World Report assess more than 1,800 bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on seventeen metrics and place the largest emphasis on a college’s retention and graduation rates.