Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Cairn

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Cairn University-Langhorne are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg is a public and Cairn is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cairn has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,659) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Cairn than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Cairn (1,110).
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more students with 4,478 students while Cairn has 1,097 students.
  • Cairn has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has more full-time faculties with 246 faculties while Cairn has 46 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Cairn University-Langhorne
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationLanghorne, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,659
63%% Receiving Financial Aid89%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,066
97.60 %Acceptance Rates88.17 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)45.17 %
1,220SAT Score1,110
27ACT Score-
26 %Graduation Rate60 %
-Transfer-out Rate27 %
82 %Retention Rate77 %
4,478Student Population1,097
246Number of Faculties46
15 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 servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service