Academic Comparison between Cairn and Penn State Harrisburg

Cairn University-Langhorne and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cairn is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Langhorne, PA and Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Harrisburg is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cairn has more expensive tuition & fees ($32,275) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Cairn than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,140) than Cairn (1,140).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has higher submitted ACT score (26) than Cairn (26).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more students with 4,572 students while Cairn has 1,031 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more full-time faculties with 240 faculties while Cairn has 44 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Cairn University-Langhornevs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Langhorne, PennsylvaniaLocationMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie Classification
$32,2752024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
92%% Receiving Financial Aid70%
$19,629Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,114
83.56 %Acceptance Rates96.39 %
61.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.19 %
1,140SAT Score1,210
26ACT Score28
55 %Graduation Rate24 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate45 %
79 %Retention Rate80 %
1,031Student Population4,572
44Number of Faculties240
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling serviceOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services