Cairn University

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Cairn University was $31,255 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 3%–from $30,345 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until after graduation.

Cairn University meets 75% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Cairn University full-time are awarded $24,301 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $35,717 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Cairn University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Cairn University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Pennsylvania as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Is Cairn University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Cairn University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Cairn University-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Cairn University:

•Cairn University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Cairn University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Cairn University.

Room and Board Costs at Cairn University

Housing and campus dining at Cairn University costs $11,764 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Cairn University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Cairn University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Cairn University

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Cairn University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is usually pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Cairn University campus is in a suburb in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Cairn University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Cairn University.

How Much Does Cairn University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Cairn University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$31,255
Room and Board	$11,764

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$43,404
Off-Campus	$31,640

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Cairn University

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The majority of Cairn University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 581 of the 762 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Cairn University meets 75% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $24,301 a year. Around 82% of Cairn University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Cairn University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $35,717 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$27,901
State Loans	$39,285
Private Loans	$30,066

Most Common Loans for Cairn University Students
Federal Loans	81%
State loans	1%
Private loans	21%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Cairn University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Cairn University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Cairn University awarded 572 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $9.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.67 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Cairn University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Cairn University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Cairn University was $24,301 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Cairn University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$19,103
Off-Campus	$7,339

What will attending Cairn University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Cairn University's net cost calculator on their website.

Cairn University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Cairn University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Cairn University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Cairn University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Cairn University's endowment was valued at $11 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Cairn University spends about $5,995 a year.

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Learn More About Cairn University

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