Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
83.6% Acceptance Rate
Cairn University-Langhorne — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.6%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1154Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$45,473Annual Cost
$44,172Grad Salary
30.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.6%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1154
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1260
ACT Middle 50%
23–27
Need-Based Aid
30.2% receive Pell
Cairn University-Langhorne is a private, Christian university in Pennsylvania that integrates biblical worldview into all aspects of academic life. Committed to academic rigor and spiritual growth, the university prepares students for lives of service and professional impact by combining a strong liberal arts foundation with practical, career-relevant training.
Cairn University-Langhorne Acceptance Rate
Cairn University-Langhorne (Cairn) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 83.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Cairn University-Langhorne Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Cairn University-Langhorne follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Cairn reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
November 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Cairn GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Cairn is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.51–3.71.Cairn GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Required essay is a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and its impact (500-word minimum), not a general personal statement; ministry-track applicants also submit a separate 1,000-1,200 word theological essay
- Test-optional; $25 non-refundable application fee; SAT code 2661, ACT code 3658
- Music programs require a live audition scheduled separately from general admissions
- Institution has changed names three times in ~25 years: Philadelphia College of Bible ? Philadelphia Biblical University (2000) ? Cairn University (2012)
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Cairn
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Cairn University-Langhorne's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Cairn University-Langhorne (Cairn) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Cairn is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Cairn Without SAT or ACT?
Cairn considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Cairn University-Langhorne Average SAT Score: 1154
The average SAT score of admitted students at Cairn University-Langhorne is 1154 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1154 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1260 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Cairn University-Langhorne allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Cairn. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 570 | 530 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 520 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1154 | 1050 | 1260 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1260 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Cairn University-Langhorne (Cairn) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Cairn's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Cairn University-Langhorne (Cairn) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Cairn is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | - | - | - |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 23 | 27 |
Can I get into Cairn University-Langhorne with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Cairn's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Cairn.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Cairn
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Cairn takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Draft the required testimony as its own genre, not a repurposed personal essay
Cairn's mandatory essay isn't a generic "tell us about yourself" prompt - it specifically asks for a personal testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and how that faith has shaped the applicant's life and interest in Cairn (500-word minimum). A generic college essay repurposed for this won't land; it should be written from scratch, ideally with input from a pastor or youth leader who knows the student's actual faith journey.
Know that ministry-track applicants face a second, much longer essay
Students applying to ministry-oriented programs must also submit a separate 1,000-1,200 word academic essay analyzing how a chosen theologian, author, or Christian philosopher has shaped their thinking on a specific biblical text or theme, plus its implications for pastoral ministry. Treat this as the real academic gatekeeper for ministry programs, not a minor supplement.
Book a music audition early and separately from general admissions
Cairn requires a live student audition for admission into its music programs, run on its own calendar independent of the general rolling admissions timeline. A music applicant should contact the School of Music directly as soon as they decide to apply rather than waiting for a general admission decision first.
Don't let the school's name history confuse reference or records requests
Cairn was known as Philadelphia College of Bible until 2000, then Philadelphia Biblical University until 2012 - the same institution under three names in 25 years. Transcripts, alumni references, or old materials citing "PBU" or "Philadelphia Biblical University" are almost certainly this same school, not a different one.
Expert Insight:
Because Cairn is test-optional with a relatively high acceptance rate, families can treat the whole application as low-effort - but submitting a generic or impersonal faith testimony is the single most common way a qualified applicant fails to connect with the committee, since that testimony is the one truly mandatory, non-negotiable piece of the entire file.
Cairn Profile
Full Name
Cairn University-Langhorne (Cairn)
City
Langhorne
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19047-2990
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Cairn Degree Worth It?
Whether Cairn is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $69,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.21%.
How much does a degree from Cairn Cost?
The sticker price is $45,473/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
30.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 79.3% take federal loans at Cairn — file your FAFSA early and list Cairn as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Cairn Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $44,172 — about 9% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Cairn University-Langhorne. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Cairn University-Langhorne. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Cairn University-Langhorne. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Cairn
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Cairn Admissions
Median earnings for Cairn University-Langhorne graduates sit around $44,172 a year.
Cairn University-Langhorne costs roughly $45,473 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 30.2% receive a Pell Grant at Cairn University-Langhorne — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 83.6%, Cairn University-Langhorne's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Cairn University-Langhorne average a 3.31 GPA.
Cairn University-Langhorne doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, Cairn University-Langhorne becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Cairn University-Langhorne — aim above 1154, ideally within the 1050–1260 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Cairn University-Langhorne is November 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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