Cairn vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Northland College 5:1.

Cairn vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Northland 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 Northland College than Cairn ($23,253 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 9% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($11,600 vs. $12,753).
• Northland College is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $10,394 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Northland College than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $10,394 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 56.8% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($33,572 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 30 points higher than at Northland College (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Cairn vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Northland 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 Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northland College graduates have a $57 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($26,943 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northland College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.