Clarke University vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Cairn University Langhorne is larger than Clarke University based on total student enrollment (1,097 students vs. 962 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarke University is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarke University 9:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Clarke University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarke University or Cairn? 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 Cairn University Langhorne than Clarke University ($23,273 vs. $26,725).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarke University are 8% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($11,734 vs. $12,753).
• Clarke University is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $6,901 more per year; $40,910.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Clarke University than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $6,901 more per year; $40,910.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarke University than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($28,884 vs. $21,416).

Clarke University vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 50 points higher than at Clarke University (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarke University 900/1160; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarke University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarke University - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Clarke University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Clarke University (71.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at Clarke University vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Clarke University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarke University and Cairn? 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 Clarke University's (60%).
• Graduates from Clarke University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,800 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clarke University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Clarke University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.