Arcadia vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Arcadia vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or Cairn? 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 Cairn University Langhorne than Arcadia ($23,273 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 25.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($12,753 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $15,601 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at Arcadia than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $15,601 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Cairn University Langhorne (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($34,705 vs. $21,416).

Arcadia vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or Cairn? 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 Cairn and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 90 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Arcadia vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and Cairn? 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).

• Cairn University Langhorne's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cairn University Langhorne and Arcadia graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cairn University Langhorne and Arcadia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 69%)

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.