Cairn vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Cairn vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than Cairn ($18,790 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.4% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($9,390 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 53.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $11,795 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at Cairn than at Columbia College (about $11,795 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Cairn University Langhorne (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($21,416 vs. $16,451).

Cairn vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 80 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Cairn vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Columbia College? 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 Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 43%)

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.