Mercy vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Mercy vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy 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 Mercy University than Cairn ($15,200 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 16.4% lower than at Mercy University ($12,753 vs. $15,250).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 48.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $11,129 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at Cairn than at Mercy University (about $11,129 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Cairn University Langhorne (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($21,416 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy 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 Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 50 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Mercy vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy 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 Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Mercy University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 40%)

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.