Cairn vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA with Averett University in Danville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Averett University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Averett University 16:1.

Cairn vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or AU? 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 Cairn University Langhorne than AU ($23,273 vs. $23,471).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 12.2% lower than at Averett University ($12,753 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $4,541 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at AU than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $4,541 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Averett University than at Cairn University Langhorne (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 40.1% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($29,998 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cairn or AU? 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 AU and Cairn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 50 points higher than at AU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAverett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at AU (3.07).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 18.1% at AU.

Cairn vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and AU? 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 Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Averett University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.