Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Cairn

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Cairn University-Langhorne are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Cairn than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,210) than Cairn (1,140).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has higher submitted ACT score (28) 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

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Cairn University-Langhorne
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationLanghorne, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor'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
70%% Receiving Financial Aid92%
$10,114Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,629
96.39 %Acceptance Rates83.56 %
12.19 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)61.61 %
1,210SAT Score1,140
28ACT Score26
24 %Graduation Rate55 %
45 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
80 %Retention Rate79 %
4,572Student Population1,031
240Number of Faculties44
14 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