Cairn vs. Wheeling University

Comparable Facts

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

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than Wheeling University based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Wheeling University is in Wheeling, WV (Small City setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheeling University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Wheeling University 15:1.

Cairn vs. Wheeling University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Wheeling 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 Wheeling University than Cairn ($21,073 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheeling University are 2.2% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($12,470 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheeling University (about $4,134 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $29,875.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Cairn than at Wheeling University (about $4,134 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $29,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheeling University than at Cairn University Langhorne (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheeling University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($21,931 vs. $21,416).

Cairn vs. Wheeling University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 10 points higher than at Wheeling University (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Wheeling University 950/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWheeling University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Wheeling University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Wheeling University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Wheeling University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 10.2% at Wheeling University.

Cairn vs. Wheeling University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Wheeling 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 Wheeling University's (62%).
• Graduates from Wheeling University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheeling University and Cairn graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wheeling University and Cairn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Wheeling University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.