Alfred University vs. Cairn

Should I go to Alfred University or Cairn University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alfred University or Cairn is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Alfred University vs. Cairn University comparison
Alfred University Cairn University College 3 College 4
Alfred University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Alfred University Cairn
Location Alfred, NY Langhorne, PA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,843 1,056
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #703
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alfred.edu cairn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alfred University Cairn
Tuition (In State) $38,270 $31,881
Tuition (Out of State) $38,270 $31,881
Room & Board $14,240 $12,234
Avg Net Price $26,127 $27,603
Avg Grant Aid $28,371 $17,852
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 83%

Admission

Alfred University Cairn
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,761 505
Admitted 3,751 422
Acceptance Rate 48.3% 83.6%
Enrolled % 11.5% 61.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/31 23/27
SAT Range 1100/1280 1050/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Alfred University Cairn
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (71%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (2%)

Outcomes

Alfred University Cairn
Graduation Rate 60% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $37,000
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Alfred University Cairn
% Men 6% 9%
% Women 17% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 72%
% Black 9% 14%
% Hispanic 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 10% 0%

Students

Alfred University Cairn
% In-State 72% 60%
% Out-of-State 20% 36%

Campus

Alfred University Cairn
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Alfred University is larger than than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,843 students vs. 1,056 students)

Alfred University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred University or Cairn?

  • Alfred University is 20% more expensive to attend than Cairn for in-state tuition ($38,270.00 vs. $31,881.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20% higher at Alfred University than Cairn University ($38,270.00 vs. $31,881.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alfred University than Cairn ($26,127 vs. $27,603)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University are 16.4% lower than costs at Alfred University ($12,234 vs. $14,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alfred University than Cairn University (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 58.9% larger than aid received Cairn University ($28,371 vs. $17,852)

Alfred University vs. Cairn Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred University or Cairn? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cairn or Alfred University .

  • The average SAT score at Alfred University (1057) is 81 points higher than at Cairn (976)
  • Incoming Alfred University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Cairn (21)
  • Accepted freshman Alfred University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Cairn (3.31)
  • Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Alfred University (48.3%)

Alfred University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alfred University or Cairn? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cairn and Alfred University.

  • The graduation rate at Cairn is higher than Alfred University (63% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Alfred University earn on average $8,700 more per year than Cairn graduates after ten years. ($45,700 vs. $37,000)
  • Cairn University and Alfred University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Cairn University and Alfred University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/