Analysis
Similar computer science programs in Pennsylvania typically see graduates earning around $57,000 in their first yearβalmost exactly the state median for this credential. That puts Cairn's estimated outcomes squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's pack, though well below what students achieve at schools like Villanova or Lehigh. The estimated $27,000 debt load creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, which is manageable for a technical field where salaries tend to grow reliably. Students entering stable IT jobs should be able to handle that monthly payment without undue stress.
The larger question is whether Cairn provides the technical depth and employer connections that drive stronger outcomes at peer institutions. The school's 84% admission rate and modest SAT profile suggest it serves students who might not access more selective programs, which can be valuable. But the tech industry rewards proven skills and internship experience heavily, and smaller programs sometimes struggle to offer the breadth of coursework and career support that lands graduates in higher-paying development or data roles rather than general IT support positions.
Given the lack of actual graduate data, visit campus and ask pointed questions: where do graduates work, what specific companies recruit here, and how many students secure internships before graduation? The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but the wide range of outcomes across Pennsylvania programsβfrom $57,000 to $146,000βshows that program quality matters enormously in this field.
Where Cairn University-Langhorne Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (62 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $32,625 | $57,261* | β | $27,000* | β | |
| $66,104 | $146,204* | $246,946 | $15,000* | 0.10 | |
| $62,412 | $103,686* | $157,852 | β* | β | |
| $64,701 | $83,455* | $89,645 | $26,225* | 0.31 | |
| $62,180 | $83,356* | $94,982 | $24,019* | 0.29 | |
| $42,286 | $83,041* | β | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cairn University-Langhorne, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 28 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.