Bowie State University vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare Bowie State University in Bowie, MD with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bowie State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (6,353 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bowie State University is located in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bowie State University 15:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Bowie State University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bowie State University or Cairn? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bowie State University than Cairn ($17,287 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 4% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($12,241 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 268.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bowie State University (about $24,791 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $9,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at Cairn than at Bowie State University (about $14,071 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cairn University Langhorne than at Bowie State University (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 214.1% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($21,416 vs. $6,819).

Bowie State University vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bowie State University or Cairn? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cairn and Bowie State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 140 points higher than at Bowie State University (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bowie State University 796/1083; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bowie State University - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.3% at Bowie State University vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Bowie State University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bowie State University and Cairn? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cairn University Langhorne's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have a $2,609 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($24,391 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bowie State University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($252 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.