Fitchburg State vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than Cairn ($15,340 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 17.5% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($12,753 vs. $15,452).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 199.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $22,663 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.2% higher at Cairn than at Fitchburg State University (about $16,583 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (92% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 85.6% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($21,416 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 70 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Fitchburg State vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.