Cairn vs. MBC

Comparable Facts

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

Mary Baldwin University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Mary Baldwin University is in Staunton, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mary Baldwin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Mary Baldwin University 15:1.

Cairn vs. MBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or MBC? 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 Mary Baldwin University than Cairn ($17,810 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mary Baldwin University are 10.5% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($11,411 vs. $12,753).
• Mary Baldwin University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $143 more per year; $34,152.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at MBC than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $143 more per year; $34,152.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mary Baldwin University than at Cairn University Langhorne (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mary Baldwin University students is 31.4% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($28,135 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. MBC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 50 points higher than at MBC (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Mary Baldwin University 940/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMary Baldwin University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; MBC - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman MBC students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Cairn (3.31).

Cairn vs. MBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and MBC? 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 Mary Baldwin University's (49%).
• Graduates from Mary Baldwin University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mary Baldwin University and Cairn graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mary Baldwin University and Cairn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MBC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.