Cairn vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

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

Fairmont State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Cairn vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University than Cairn ($11,328 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 8.6% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($11,656 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 290.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $25,301 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at Cairn than at Fairmont State University (about $15,085 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairmont State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 150.4% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($21,416 vs. $8,552).

Cairn vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 140 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Cairn vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State 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.