KSC vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Keene State College is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (2,848 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keene State College is located in Keene, NH (Distant Town setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Keene State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keene State College 17:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

KSC vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KSC 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 Keene State College than Cairn ($19,997 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 7.4% lower than at Keene State College ($12,753 vs. $13,766).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 130% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSC (about $19,225 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $14,784.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Cairn than at Keene State College (about $7,169 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $26,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Keene State College than at Cairn University Langhorne (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 74.1% larger than aid received by Keene State College students ($21,416 vs. $12,302).

KSC vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KSC 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 KSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 10 points higher than at KSC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keene State College 970/1170; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Keene State College 24/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KSC - Test-free; Cairn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at KSC (3.1).
• KSC has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at KSC vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

KSC vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KSC 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 Keene State College's (57%).
• Graduates from Keene State College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keene State College graduates have a $705 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($26,295 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KSC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More KSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cairn students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.