Cairn vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Cairn vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or VSU? 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 Virginia State University than Cairn ($17,840 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 4.5% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,753 vs. $13,355).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 238.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $23,966 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Cairn than at Virginia State University (about $11,359 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (92% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 72.1% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($21,416 vs. $12,447).

Cairn vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 120 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Cairn vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and VSU? 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 Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $300 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cairn University Langhorne graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Cairn graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 28%)

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.