Cairn vs. Erskine College

Comparable Facts

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

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Erskine College is in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Erskine College 15:1.

Cairn vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Erskine 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 Cairn University Langhorne than Erskine College ($23,273 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 3.8% lower than at Erskine College ($12,753 vs. $13,250).
• Erskine College is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $2,701 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Erskine College than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $2,701 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Erskine College than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 45.6% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($31,174 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. Erskine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 40 points higher than at Erskine College (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Erskine College 920/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsErskine College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Erskine College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 22.2% at Erskine College.

Cairn vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Erskine 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 Erskine College's (55%).
• Graduates from Erskine College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Erskine College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($26,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Erskine College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 69%)

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.