Cairn vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

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

Wilson College is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,907 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cairn University Langhorne is located in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting); Wilson College is in Chambersburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cairn University Langhorne 11:1; Wilson College 15:1.

Cairn vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cairn or Wilson College? 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 Wilson College than Cairn ($21,748 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson College are 3.6% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($12,296 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 25.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilson College (about $6,909 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at Cairn than at Wilson College (about $6,909 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilson College than at Cairn University Langhorne (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 20.7% larger than aid received by Wilson College students ($21,416 vs. $17,736).

Cairn vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 20 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160; Wilson College 930/1180.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cairn - Test optional; Wilson College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.2% at Cairn vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

Cairn vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cairn and Wilson College? 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 Wilson College's (53%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Wilson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilson College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilson College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilson College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.