Cairn vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Cairn vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($23,273 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 14.1% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($10,955 vs. $12,753).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $9,734 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at MIAD than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $9,734 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($26,015 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 40 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Cairn vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and MIAD? 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 Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's (57%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Cairn graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 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 MIAD students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.