Cairn vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shepherd University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,339 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University than Cairn ($11,744 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 1.3% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,753 vs. $12,916).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 275.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shepherd University (about $24,953 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $9,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.2% higher at Cairn than at Shepherd University (about $14,927 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at Cairn University Langhorne (96% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 159.9% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($21,416 vs. $8,241).

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 70 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsShepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• 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 (96.8%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

Cairn vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Shepherd University? 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 Shepherd University's (46%).
• Graduates from Shepherd University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have a $4,777 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($22,223 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shepherd University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.