Academic Comparison between Penn State Altoona and Cairn

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona and Cairn University-Langhorne are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Altoona is a four-year, public school located in Altoona, 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 Altoona is a public and Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cairn has more expensive tuition & fees ($32,275) than Penn State Altoona ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Cairn than Penn State Altoona.
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher submitted SAT score (1,160) than Cairn (1,140).
  • Cairn has higher submitted ACT score (24) than Penn State Altoona (24).
  • Penn State Altoona has more students with 2,577 students while Cairn has 1,031 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Penn State Altoona has more full-time faculties with 202 faculties while Cairn has 44 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Altoona Cairn
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoonavs.Cairn University-Langhorne
Altoona, PennsylvaniaLocationLanghorne, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
2024 Tuition & Fees$32,275
71%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$10,140Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,629
97.31 %Acceptance Rates83.56 %
12.37 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)61.61 %
1,160SAT Score1,140
24ACT Score26
16 %Graduation Rate55 %
47 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
77 %Retention Rate79 %
2,577Student Population1,031
202Number of Faculties44
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, 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