Cairn University

What Cairn University does

Cairn University is a private, non-profit Christian university founded in 1913 (originally as Philadelphia School of the Bible) and headquartered at 200 Manor Avenue, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. The institution delivers Christ-centered higher education across six academic schools — Business and Technology, Divinity, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Music, and Counseling — and a Department of Counseling, offering more than 70 degree programs from associate through doctoral level, including a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership. All degree programs integrate 32 credits of Bible and theology. The university is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and participates in NC-SARA, enabling multi-state online delivery. Its NCAA Division III athletics program competes as the Cairn Highlanders in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

The business model is tuition- and donation-driven. On-campus full-time undergraduates pay a net price of approximately $14,346 per semester after an average financial aid award of $20,042 (97% of full-time undergrads receive aid). Cairn Online offers block pricing at $4,900/semester for 12-18 credits (~$272/credit) and pay-as-you-go at $460/credit for undergraduates, while graduate programs run $455-$725/credit with promotional rates as low as $400/credit. Dual enrollment pricing for 2026-2027 ranges from $80/credit at partner high schools to $149/credit on campus. Distribution channels include direct on-campus enrollment, the Common App (Code 1022), SARA-enabled online enrollment, and dual enrollment partnerships with Christian schools and homeschool cooperatives. Revenue is supplemented by annual giving via the Cairn Fund and planned giving through the Regency Foundation.

Technology and instructional delivery rely on third-party platforms rather than proprietary infrastructure: the online program uses Cerego adaptive learning for long-term retention, video-thread collaboration tools, and an asynchronous course model with a seven-day rapid development (7RD2) process in select MBA and MA programs. The GTM motion is multi-channel and event-driven — Experience Cairn Days, SOAR orientation, NACCAP college fairs, church and homeschool partnerships, and alumni referrals — supplemented by content marketing (Cairn Magazine to 12,000+ recipients, the Triquetra academic publication, and the Defragmenting podcast produced by Faith & Truth Media). International students from dozens of countries are supported through F-1 visa processing and Form I-20 issuance.

Name

Cairn University

Legal name

Cairn University

Website

https://cairn.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cairn University is a private, non-profit Christian university founded in 1913 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, offering 70+ degree programs across six academic schools both on-campus and online (Cairn Online) to undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and dual enrollment students, with all curricula integrating biblical theology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical university
• Undergraduate programs
• Online degree programs
• Graduate theological education

Headquarters

HQ city

Langhorne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees - On-Campus Undergraduate: Full-time undergraduate tuition for 12-18 credits per semester, with average net cost of $14,346 after financial aid
2. Tuition and Fees - Cairn Online: Flat per-credit rate of $460 for undergraduate online programs; block pricing of $4,900 per semester for 12-18 credits
3. Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs priced at $455-$725 per credit depending on program, with promotional rates as low as $400/credit in select programs
4. Room and Board: Housing and dining services included in full-time on-campus tuition package
5. Application Fees: $25 non-refundable application fee (waivable with promotional codes)
6. Annual Giving and Donations: The Cairn Fund and planned giving through the Regency Foundation support student scholarships and university operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Cairn University is a private, non-profit biblical Christian university that delivers more than 70 degree programs (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) across six academic schools, offered on-campus in Langhorne, PA and online through Cairn Online. Programs integrate biblical and theological coursework into every major and are priced via tuition per credit or block semester rates, with 97% of full-time undergraduates receiving financial aid. Supplementary offerings include dual enrollment for high school students, gap year, honors, study abroad, and degree completion programs.

Product overview

Cairn University is a Christian university offering over 70 educational programs across six academic schools (School of Business and Technology, School of Divinity, School of Education, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Music, and Department of Counseling). The institution provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through traditional on-campus instruction, Cairn Online (30+ online programs), and hybrid formats. Additional offerings include Dual Enrollment for high school students, Gap Year Programs, Study Abroad, and Honors Programs. Programs are Christ-centered with Bible and theology integration required across all curricula.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cairn Online: The university's fully online degree programs offering biblical, Christ-centered education at associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels.
• Cairn Highlanders

Products and services

• Cairn Online A distinctly biblical, Christ-centered online education platform offering over 30 degree programs at associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels with asynchronous course design and SARA-enabled multi-state enrollment.
• School of Business and Technology Offers undergraduate and graduate business programs including Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, and Sport Management.
• School of Divinity Provides seminary programs including Master of Divinity (MDiv), Religion MA, and Executive Ministry Leadership MA, integrating biblical theology with professional ministry training.
• School of Education Offers teacher preparation programs at undergraduate and graduate levels including Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Educational Leadership.
• School of Liberal Arts and Sciences Provides programs in Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Digital Media and Communication, English, Graphic Design, History, Mathematics, Politics, Pre-Med, Psychology, and Studio Art.
• School of Music Offers undergraduate and graduate music programs including Composition (BMus), Music (BA), Music Education (BMus), Music Performance (BMus), and Worship and Music (BA/MA).
• Department of Counseling Graduate counseling programs including Community Counseling (MA), Counseling (MS), and Counseling Ministry (MA) for professional counseling careers.
• Degree Completion Program Accelerated program for non-traditional students to complete bachelor's degrees in Bible or General Studies, available fully online or on campus with once-weekly classes.
• Dual Enrollment College credit program for high school students offering online courses ($129/credit), on-campus courses ($149/credit), or courses at partner high schools ($80/credit).
• Gap Year Programs One-year accredited Christian gap year programs including OneLife, CAMP-of-the-WOODS LIFT, and Planted, designed for students after high school.
• Study Abroad International academic and service opportunities including short-term missions trips, cross-cultural internships, and semester abroad programs.
• Honors Program Academic excellence program for high-achieving students requiring application with reflections, essays, recommendations, and research papers.
• Doctor of Education (EdD) Online doctoral program in Educational Leadership requiring master's degree, personal testimony, statement of purpose, references, writing sample, and faculty interview.
• Dual-Level Degree Programs Combined undergraduate and graduate degree paths allowing students to earn both degrees in as few as five years, including combinations like Business Administration BS + MBA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of full-time undergraduate students receive financial assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)coreOthersRegional accreditation body ensuring academic standards and federal financial aid eligibility for students
• NC-SARAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Authorization Reciprocity Agreements enabling multi-state enrollment for online programs
• Faith & Truth MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces Cairn Magazine, Triquetra academic publication, and Defragmenting podcast for the university
• SAGE ScholarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTuition Rewards program allowing families to accrue points redeemable for tuition discounts
• Common AppcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoalition application platform (Code: 1022) enabling domestic first-year student applications
• OneLife InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGap year program partnership offering college credit for 9-month program participation
• Word of Life Bible InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner transfer scholarship program with minimum GPA 2.0 for graduates
• Reformation Bible CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner transfer scholarship program for graduates
• CAMP-of-the-WOODSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGap year program partnership with LIFT program for college credit and transfer scholarships
• NACCAPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Association of Christian College Admissions Professionals for college fair participation and recruitment
• ACSIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation of Christian Schools International partnership for recruitment and leadership U scholarship
• AwanaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth ministry organization offering leadership scholarship for students with high school involvement
• Young LifeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth ministry organization offering leadership scholarship for students with high school involvement
• Study in the States (DHS)minorOthersDepartment of Homeland Security resource for international students navigating F-1 visa process

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wheaton College: Top-ranked evangelical liberal arts college in Illinois offering undergraduate and graduate programs (including a respected M.A. in Biblical Exegesis). Comparable to Cairn in faith-centered identity, residential model, and academic quality positioning within the Christian college segment.
• Dallas Baptist University: Texas-based Baptist university with a strong online program portfolio serving adult and graduate learners. Comparable to Cairn in evangelical identity, online delivery strategy, and emphasis on integrating faith across professional programs.
• Regent University: Virginia-based evangelical university offering online and on-campus degrees across business, divinity, education, and arts — closely comparable to Cairn in faith-based identity, online program breadth, and graduate/professional school mix.
• Oral Roberts University: Charismatic evangelical university offering undergraduate through doctoral programs with a Whole Person Education model. Comparable to Cairn in faith-centered identity, professional school portfolio (business, education, theology), and tuition-based revenue model.
• Grove City College: Pennsylvania-based private Christian college with comparable tuition affordability positioning, faith-based identity, and undergraduate/graduate program mix. Direct geographic and market overlap with Cairn's on-campus footprint.
• Bob Jones University: Fundamentalist Christian university in South Carolina with comparable program breadth (undergraduate through graduate, including seminary, education, and music). Similar faith-centered identity and tuition-funded operating model.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-based evangelical institution focused on Bible/theology training with a growing online and distance-learning presence. Comparable to Cairn's School of Divinity in target audience, curriculum philosophy, and online expansion strategy.
• Biola University: Southern California evangelical university with a strong online division ( Talbot Seminary, Crowell School of Business) — directly comparable to Cairn's School of Divinity and Cairn Online offerings in target market and curriculum integration approach.
• Eastern University: Philadelphia-area evangelical university (nearby geographic peer) offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs with faith integration. Comparable to Cairn in regional footprint, Christian identity, and online program expansion strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest private evangelical Christian university in the U.S. with extensive online program offerings. Overlaps Cairn directly on faith-based undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education plus online delivery, but operates at substantially greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cairnu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/cairnu
• Facebookfacebook.com/cairnu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cairn-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/cairnu

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cairn University