Academic Comparison between Cairn and Penn State Altoona

Cairn University-Langhorne and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cairn is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Langhorne, PA and Penn State Altoona is a four-year, public school located in Altoona, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cairn has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,659) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Cairn than Penn State Altoona.
  • Penn State Altoona has a higher submitted SAT score (1,110) than Cairn (1,110).
  • Penn State Altoona has more students with 2,371 students while Cairn has 1,097 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Penn State Altoona has more full-time faculties with 177 faculties while Cairn has 46 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Cairn University-Langhornevs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Langhorne, PennsylvaniaLocationAltoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie Classification
$33,6592025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
89%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$20,066Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,865
88.17 %Acceptance Rates98.06 %
45.17 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.26 %
1,110SAT Score1,180
-ACT Score26
60 %Graduation Rate17 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate-
77 %Retention Rate80 %
1,097Student Population2,371
46Number of Faculties177
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling serviceOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services