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.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Harrisburg Cairn
Vote to see the other's choices.

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
96.00 %Acceptance Rates83.96 %
12.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)62.03 %
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