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JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Eastern University Mason YCP CNU TU| Cairn University | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Cairn | SU | ||
| Location | Langhorne, PA | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 1,056 | 4,343 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #703 | #523 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cairn.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Cairn | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $31,881 | $34,614 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $31,881 | $34,614 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,234 | $11,800 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,603 | $26,400 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $17,852 | $24,100 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 83% | 100% |
Admission |
Cairn | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 505 | 3,763 | ||
| Admitted | 422 | 2,929 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.6% | 77.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 61.6% | 16.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.31 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 23/27 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1260 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
Cairn | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Cairn | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 63% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,000 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 69% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $258 |
Diversity |
Cairn | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 9% | 9% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 31% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 14% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 13% |
Students |
Cairn | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 60% | 58% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 36% | 42% | ||
Campus |
Cairn | SU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Shenandoah University is larger than than Cairn based on total student enrollment (4,343 students vs. 1,056 students)
Cairn vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Cairn or SU?
- Shenandoah University is 8.6% more expensive to attend than Cairn for in-state tuition ($34,614.00 vs. $31,881.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.6% higher at SU than Cairn University ($34,614.00 vs. $31,881.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shenandoah University than Cairn ($26,400 vs. $27,603)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 3.7% lower than costs at Cairn University ($11,800 vs. $12,234)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Cairn University (100% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 35% larger than aid received Cairn University ($24,100 vs. $17,852)
Cairn vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Cairn or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or Cairn .
- The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 29 points higher than at Cairn (976)
- Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Cairn (21)
- Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Cairn (3.31)
- Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than SU (77.8%)
Cairn vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Cairn or SU? 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 SU and Cairn.
- The graduation rate at Cairn is higher than Shenandoah University (63% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $11,300 more per year than Cairn graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $37,000)
- Shenandoah University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Cairn graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- SU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Cairn graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
- More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/