Cairn vs. Shepherd University

Should I go to Cairn University or Shepherd University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cairn or Shepherd University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Cairn University vs. Shepherd University comparison
Cairn University Shepherd University College 3 College 4
Shepherd University
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Overview

Cairn Shepherd University
Location Langhorne, PA Shepherdstown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 1,031 3,235
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #866
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cairn.edu shepherd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cairn Shepherd University
Tuition (In State) $31,255 $6,288
Tuition (Out of State) $31,255 $15,774
Room & Board $11,764 $10,987
Avg Net Price $25,923 $9,827
Avg Grant Aid $18,376 $7,328
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 93%

Admission

Cairn Shepherd University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 468 1,690
Admitted 379 1,620
Acceptance Rate 81% 95.9%
Enrolled % 53.3% 34.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range 930/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Cairn Shepherd University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (71%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (2%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Cairn Shepherd University
Graduation Rate 63% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $41,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,223
Median Loan Payment $279 $229

Diversity

Cairn Shepherd University
% Men 47% 37%
% Women 53% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 82%
% Black 14% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Cairn Shepherd University
% In-State 60% 64%
% Out-of-State 36% 35%

Campus

Cairn Shepherd University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shepherd University is larger than than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,235 students vs. 1,031 students)

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Shepherd University?

  • Cairn University is 397.1% more expensive to attend than Shepherd University for in-state tuition ($31,255.00 vs. $6,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 98.1% higher at Cairn than Shepherd University ($31,255.00 vs. $15,774.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than Cairn ($9,827 vs. $25,923)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shepherd University are 7.1% lower than costs at Cairn University ($10,987 vs. $11,764)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cairn University than Shepherd University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University students is 150.8% larger than aid received Shepherd University ($18,376 vs. $7,328)

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cairn or Shepherd University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Shepherd University or Cairn .

  • The average SAT score at Shepherd University (995) is 19 points higher than at Cairn (976)
  • Incoming Shepherd University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Cairn (21)
  • Accepted freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Cairn (3.31)
  • Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Cairn (81%)

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cairn or Shepherd University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Shepherd University and Cairn.

  • The graduation rate at Cairn is higher than Shepherd University (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Shepherd University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Cairn graduates after ten years. ($41,500 vs. $37,000)
  • Shepherd University students graduate with a $4,777 lower median federal student loan debt than Cairn graduates. ($22,223 vs. $27,000)
  • Shepherd University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Cairn graduates. ($229 vs. $279)
  • More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University 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/