Alfred State College vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in Alfred, NY with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (3,781 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is located in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cairn University Langhorne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

Alfred State College vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred State 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than Cairn ($15,283 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 12.8% lower than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred ($12,753 vs. $14,624).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 282.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $25,117 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at Cairn than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $17,172 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than at Cairn University Langhorne (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 114.9% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students ($21,416 vs. $9,966).

Alfred State College vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred State 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 Alfred State College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (1100) is 20 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alfred State College - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cairn students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Alfred State College (3.1).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Alfred State College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Alfred State College vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

Alfred State College vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alfred State 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).

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Cairn University Langhorne's (63%).
• Graduates from SUNY College of Technology at Alfred earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $12,126 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($14,874 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($153 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alfred State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.