Cairn vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Cairn vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or SU? 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 SU ($23,273 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 2.1% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($12,490 vs. $12,753).
• Shenandoah University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $2,941 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at SU than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $2,941 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($24,747 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 40 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 16.7% at SU.

Cairn vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.