WestConn vs. Cairn

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Cairn University Langhorne in Langhorne, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Cairn based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 1,097 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Cairn University Langhorne is in Langhorne, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut 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: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Cairn University Langhorne 11:1.

WestConn vs. Cairn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University than Cairn ($17,185 vs. $23,273).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cairn University Langhorne are 18.6% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($12,753 vs. $15,659).
• Cairn University Langhorne is 153.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $20,608 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.2% higher at Cairn than at Western Connecticut State University (about $17,108 more per year; $34,009.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at Cairn University Langhorne (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cairn University Langhorne students is 66.4% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($21,416 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Cairn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 30 points higher than at Cairn (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Cairn University Langhorne 1000/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Cairn - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Cairn (3.31).
• Cairn has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 45.2% at Cairn.

WestConn vs. Cairn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Cairn graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cairn graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cairn graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cairn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.