ECSU vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

ECSU vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Cairn ($6,483 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 6% lower than at Cairn University Langhorne ($11,986 vs. $12,753).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 420.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $27,473 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 222.8% higher at Cairn than at Elizabeth City State University (about $23,473 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elizabeth City State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (89% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 99.6% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($21,416 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 80 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

ECSU vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($26,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 23%)

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.