MUSLIMCREED American Islamic University was founded in 1989 and has since become one of the most well-known Islamic universities in the United States.
With locations throughout California, American Islamic University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degree programs in subjects ranging from history to education to psychology to literature.
But with so many options for Muslim students looking for an Islamic education, how does American Islamic University compare to other universities? This guide breaks down all of the pros and cons of American Islamic University, so you can make an educated decision about whether or not this university is right for you.
The good
AIU offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in many disciplines. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been recognized as one of the top 50 schools in America by US News & World Report.
AIU also has a distinguished faculty with professors who have been published in major journals and who have taught at some of the country’s most elite universities. The student body is diverse with students from over 75 countries and cultures represented.
If you’re looking for a diverse environment to learn from other faiths, religions or cultures then this may be the school for you! AIU also provides Arabic language instruction which will help any Muslim traveler abroad.
A downside might be that it does not offer some of the specialized degree programs like engineering or nursing that other colleges do so if those are important to you then make sure to consider your options before making your decision.
Read : The United States’ First Islamic University is Finally Founded
The bad
American Islamic Education is one of the oldest and largest Muslim educational institutions in North America, but it has its downsides. A major problem with this university is that it is not accredited by any agency recognized by U.S. Department of Education (DOE).
The absence of accreditation means that degrees may not be accepted in all states and some employers may not accept them either. If a student wants to transfer to another school, they would have to re-apply and their credits would not transfer over. However, there are more advantages than disadvantages when it comes to this university.
The ugly
While A.I.U is a great school with so many benefits, there are also some disadvantages that come with it. One of the most common complaints is that A.I.U offers very little in terms of financial aid.
If you’re not from a wealthy family and don’t qualify for any scholarships, it can be really hard to afford to go here without taking out student loans and going into debt. It’s even harder when your parents refuse to help you pay for college because they feel like the tuition is too high (even though they couldn’t have afforded college themselves).
Read : The Pros and Cons of Islamic Banking for University Students
Another downside is that being Muslim at this school means isolating yourself from your classmates. There aren’t enough Muslims enrolled in classes like Math or Science, which means you won’t be able to find anyone who shares your background or religious beliefs.
All of your friends will be non-Muslim, and while diversity is good, it doesn’t make up for the lack of spiritual connection. Plus, if someone asks you what faith you practice during an interview, how would you respond if you were Muslim but didn’t want to isolate yourself?
