Academic Comparison between Penn State and Cairn

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

  • Penn State is a public and Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,188) than Cairn ($32,275).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Cairn.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,310) than Cairn (1,140).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (29) than Cairn (26).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,028 students while Cairn has 1,031 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while Cairn has 44 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Cairn University-Langhorne
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationLanghorne, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
2024 Tuition & Fees$32,275
56%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$11,574Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,629
54.22 %Acceptance Rates83.56 %
19.40 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)61.61 %
1,310SAT Score1,140
29ACT Score26
83 %Graduation Rate55 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
91 %Retention Rate79 %
50,028Student Population1,031
2,994Number of Faculties44
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 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 service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service