Cairn vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Cairn vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Cairn ($22,546 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 14% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($12,753 vs. $14,828).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 215.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $23,234 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.5% higher at Cairn than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $11,410 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cairn University Langhorne than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (77% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 275.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($21,416 vs. $5,709).

Cairn vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 110 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Cairn vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Cairn University Langhorne's (63%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.