# American Islamic College > islamic higher education in Illinois, Chicago, United States **Wikidata**: [Q42417604](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42417604) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Islamic_College) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-islamic-college ## Summary American Islamic College is a private Islamic university located in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1983 as an institution dedicated to higher education in Islamic studies. It serves as a specialized academic institution offering semester-based courses and remains one of the few dedicated Islamic higher education institutions in the United States, with a small student population of 16 students as of 2020. ## Key Facts - **Founded**: 1983 - **Location**: Chicago, Illinois, United States - **Coordinates**: Latitude 41.955, Longitude -87.646 - **Type**: Private Islamic university - **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based - **Student Count**: 16 (as of September 2020) - **Employees**: 13 (as of September 2020) - **Total Assets**: $2,374,396 (as of June 30, 2020) - **Classification**: University (instance_of) - **ISNI**: 0000000405316610 - **ROR ID**: 02apzcx95 - **VIAF ID**: 56147118199126340903 - **Ringgold ID**: 32320 - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2016095060 - **IPEDS ID**: 142957 - **Wikipedia Languages**: Arabic (ar), Bengali (bn), English (en), Uzbek (uz) - **Sitelink Count**: 4 ## FAQs ### What type of institution is American Islamic College? American Islamic College is a private Islamic university classified as a higher education institution specializing in Islamic studies. It operates as a semester-based academic institution and is recognized as a university within the broader classification of academic institutions for further education. ### Where is American Islamic College located? The college is located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, at coordinates 41.955°N latitude and 87.646°W longitude. It is situated in the Chicago metropolitan area, serving students interested in Islamic higher education in the Midwest region. ### When was American Islamic College established? American Islamic College was founded in 1983, making it one of the older Islamic higher education institutions in the United States. It was established to provide dedicated Islamic academic training within the American educational system. ### How large is American Islamic College? As of September 2020, American Islamic College had 16 enrolled students and 13 employees. The institution maintains modest enrollment, reflecting its specialized focus on Islamic higher education rather than mass enrollment. ### What is the financial standing of American Islamic College? According to 2020 data, American Islamic College reported total assets of $2,374,396 as of June 30, 2020, indicating a small but operational private institution with modest financial resources. ### What identifiers are associated with American Islamic College? The college is identified by multiple international authority systems including ISNI (0000000405316610), ROR ID (02apzcx95), VIAF ID (56147118199126340903), Ringgold ID (32320), Library of Congress Authority ID (no2016095060), and IPEDS ID (142957). It also has Wikipedia pages in Arabic, Bengali, English, and Uzbek. ## Why It Matters American Islamic College represents a significant contribution to Islamic higher education in the United States, filling a unique niche in the American educational landscape. Founded in 1983, it provides a dedicated pathway for students seeking formal academic training in Islamic studies within a university framework, distinguishing itself from general liberal arts colleges or community colleges that may offer limited Islamic coursework. The institution matters because it embodies the development of indigenous American Islamic academic institutions. Rather than students needing to travel abroad for specialized Islamic higher education, American Islamic College offers domestic access to university-level Islamic studies, maintaining academic standards while preserving religious educational traditions. Its semester-based academic calendar aligns with standard American higher education practices, facilitating transfer credits and academic progression. From a financial perspective, the college's assets of approximately $2.4 million and its continued operation demonstrate institutional sustainability despite small enrollment. This indicates community support and organizational viability that allows the college to maintain its educational mission. The presence of 13 employees also suggests the institution contributes to local employment and academic professional opportunities in the Chicago area. Furthermore, the college's multiple language Wikipedia presence (Arabic, Bengali, English, and Uzbek) indicates international interest and recognition, suggesting it serves as a point of connection between American Islamic education and global Muslim communities. Its classification as a university rather than a college also signals commitment to comprehensive academic offerings within the Islamic studies field. ## Notable For - **Specialized Islamic Higher Education**: One of the few dedicated Islamic universities in the United States offering semester-based academic programs - **Historic Foundation**: Established in 1983, making it one of the older Islamic higher education institutions in America - **Chicago Location**: The only major Islamic university in the Chicago metropolitan area - **International Recognition**: Has Wikipedia articles in four languages (Arabic, Bengali, English, Uzbek), indicating global reach - **Comprehensive Identification**: Registered with multiple international authority systems including ISNI, ROR, VIAF, and Library of Congress - **Small-Scale Model**: Demonstrates a viable model for specialized religious higher education with modest but dedicated enrollment ## Body ### Historical Background American Islamic College was established in 1983 in Chicago, Illinois, emerging during a period of growth for Islamic institutions in the United States. The founding represented an effort to create a dedicated center for Islamic higher education within the American academic system, providing students with formal university-level training in Islamic studies rather than relying solely on seminaries or informal religious education. The institution's founding date of 1983 places it among the pioneering Islamic higher education institutions in America, predating many contemporary Islamic academic programs that emerged in later decades. This historical positioning gives the college significant standing within the American Islamic educational landscape. ### Geographic and Institutional Context Located at coordinates 41.955°N latitude and 87.646°W longitude in Chicago, American Islamic College occupies a strategic position in the third-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Chicago's diverse population includes substantial Muslim communities, creating natural demand for Islamic educational institutions. The college operates as a private institution, distinguishing it from public universities and reflecting its specialized mission-driven nature. Its classification as a university (rather than a college or seminary) indicates commitment to comprehensive academic offerings that may include general education components alongside specialized Islamic studies curriculum. ### Academic Structure American Islamic College operates on a semester academic calendar, aligning with standard American higher education practices. This structure facilitates potential transfer agreements with other institutions and allows students to follow traditional academic progression patterns. The institution's classification as a university places it within the broader category of academic institutions dedicated to higher education, sharing this classification with major universities worldwide. This academic framework distinguishes the college from purely religious seminaries or informal study circles. ### Enrollment and Personnel As of September 2020, American Islamic College enrolled 16 students, reflecting its specialized focus and selective admissions. This small enrollment size is typical for specialized religious institutions that prioritize educational quality and religious training over mass enrollment. The institution employed 13 staff members as of the same period, indicating a relatively high staff-to-student ratio that suggests personalized attention and intimate classroom settings. This ratio is consistent with small specialized institutions where close faculty-student relationships are emphasized. ### Financial Profile The college reported total assets of $2,374,396 as of June 30, 2020. This financial standing, while modest by university standards, demonstrates operational viability and organizational sustainability. The asset base supports ongoing educational operations, facility maintenance, and staff compensation. Financial management at this scale requires careful resource allocation, and the college's continued operation suggests effective stewardship of available resources to maintain its educational mission. ### International Identification and Recognition American Islamic College maintains presence in multiple international authority systems, facilitating academic and research connections: - **ISNI** (International Standard Name Identifier): 0000000405316610 - **ROR** (Research Organization Registry): 02apzcx95 - **VIAF** (Virtual International Authority File): 56147118199126340903 - **Ringgold ID**: 32320 - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2016095060 - **IPEDS** (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System): 142957 These identifiers connect the college to global academic databases and facilitate bibliographic references, library cataloging, and research documentation. ### Digital Presence The institution maintains Wikipedia articles in four languages: Arabic, Bengali, English, and Uzbek. This multilingual digital presence indicates international interest in the college and suggests it serves students and researchers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The English Wikipedia article serves as the primary source for English-language information, while the Arabic, Bengali, and Uzbek versions serve respective language communities. The sitelink count of 4 across Wikimedia projects reflects this multilingual presence and indicates cross-referencing between language editions. ### Classification Hierarchy American Islamic College is classified as a university, which itself is classified as a higher education institution and academic institution. This hierarchical classification situates the college within the broader framework of institutions dedicated to advanced learning and research. The university classification distinguishes American Islamic College from colleges that might focus primarily on associate degrees or vocational training, indicating commitment to comprehensive higher education offerings. ### Related Institutional Context As a university, American Islamic College connects to the broader category of academic institutions for further education. This category includes diverse institutions ranging from large research universities to specialized colleges, with American Islamic College representing the specialized Islamic education segment within this landscape.