Fisher College vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Fisher College is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,652 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fisher College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fisher College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fisher College 14:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Fisher College vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher College 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 Fisher College ($23,273 vs. $28,596).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 29.3% lower than at Fisher College ($12,753 vs. $18,041).
• Fisher College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $1,680 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Fisher College than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $1,680 more per year; $35,689.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fisher College than at Cairn University Langhorne (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fisher College students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($25,379 vs. $21,416).

Fisher College vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher College 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 Fisher College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 140 points higher than at Fisher College (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 800/1070; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fisher College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher College - Test-free; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Fisher College (2.72).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Fisher College (70.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.1% at Fisher College vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Fisher College vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher College 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 Fisher College's (48%).
• Graduates from Cairn University Langhorne earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Fisher College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fisher College graduates have a $7,813 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($19,187 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher College graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($198 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 45%)

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.