Salem State University vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem 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: Salem State University 12:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Salem State University vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State 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 Salem State University than Cairn ($17,541 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 24.3% lower than at Salem State University ($12,753 vs. $16,838).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 175.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $21,671 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.1% higher at Cairn than at Salem State University (about $14,478 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 107.5% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($21,416 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State 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 Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is the same as at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Cairn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Cairn (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Salem State University vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State 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 Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Salem State University 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, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.