Messiah University vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Messiah University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,373 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Messiah University 12:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Messiah University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Messiah University 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 Messiah University ($23,273 vs. $29,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 2.6% lower than at Messiah University ($12,753 vs. $13,098).
• Messiah University is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $8,231 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at Messiah University than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $8,231 more per year; $42,240.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($26,576 vs. $21,416).

Messiah University vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Messiah University 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 Messiah University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Messiah University (1230) is 150 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 1110/1350; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Messiah University - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Messiah University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.1% at Messiah University vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Messiah University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Messiah University 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).

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Cairn University Langhorne's (63%).
• Graduates from Messiah University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Messiah University graduates have a $1,011 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,989 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Messiah University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.