Academic Comparison between Penn State and Cairn

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

  • Penn State is a public and Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Penn State has more expensive tuition & fees ($41,790) than Cairn ($33,659).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Cairn.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Cairn (1,110).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Cairn has 1,097 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Cairn has 46 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Cairn University-Langhorne
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationLanghorne, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,659
50%% Receiving Financial Aid89%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,066
60.56 %Acceptance Rates88.17 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)45.17 %
1,330SAT Score1,110
30ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate60 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
93 %Retention Rate77 %
50,737Student Population1,097
4,174Number of Faculties46
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service