La Sierra University vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

La Sierra University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($23,273 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 5% lower than at La Sierra University ($12,753 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cairn (about $3,701 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at La Sierra University than at Cairn University Langhorne (about $3,701 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $34,009.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at Cairn University Langhorne (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students ($27,646 vs. $21,416).

La Sierra University vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cairn University Langhorne (1080) is 70 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

La Sierra University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cairn University Langhorne graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Cairn graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($279 vs. $310).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 52%)

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.