Admit rate has ranged 62%–73% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Chatham University is a Pittsburgh institution that has carved out a distinct identity by pivoting from its historic women's college roots to a coeducational model anchored in health, sustainability, and the arts. It's a place where a 62% acceptance rate signals an accessible, pragmatic education, and where the campus vibe is shaped by a student body that skews heavily female and is actively encouraged to build community through clubs and events. The school's reputation rests on producing graduates who land jobs—95% career outcomes—particularly in its signature fields like nursing, interior design, and environmental science.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,232
In-state tuition
$44,626
Out-of-state tuition
$44,626
No-Loan Policy
Not stated in sources
Graduation Rate
63%
Meets Full Need
Not stated in sources
ED Share of Class
Not stated in sources
Career Outcomes Rate
95%
First-Year Retention
Not stated in sources
Mean Reported Salary
$83,252
Demonstrated Interest
Not stated in sources
Median Earnings (10yr)
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$52,410
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.7×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
63%
First-year retention
78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
60%
Pell (lower-income) share
22%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
30%
Financial health
1.2 / 3.0Passing, but in the added-oversight zone
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$67,180
Interior Architecture$32,382
Psychology, General$30,771
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
49.1"
Annual snow
21.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
87
Scholarly works
2,289
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.6%
Bottom → top quintile
16%
From bottom quintile
10%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Chatham University?
Chatham University's acceptance rate is approximately 62% (Pittsburgh, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Chatham University?
Admitted students at Chatham University typically score 1070–1295 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Chatham University cost?
At Chatham University, the average net price (after aid) is about $29,954 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Chatham University?
Chatham University enrolls approximately 1,232 undergraduate students.
Where is Chatham University located?
Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA.
Admissions
Chatham's admissions process is realistic and accessible, with a clear majority of applicants receiving an offer. The university is less selective, admitting about six out of every ten students who apply. The process reveals a notable gender disparity: women are admitted at a significantly higher rate (68%) than men (51%), reflecting the institution's historical identity and current enrollment patterns. The incoming class tends to be academically solid, with an average high school GPA of 3.72. Standardized test scores are considered but not a barrier for many, with the middle 50% SAT range falling between 1070 and 1295. The university does not charge an application fee, lowering the barrier to apply. While the outlines factors considered in admission, specific details on the relative importance of demonstrated interest or the existence of an Early Decision program with a distinct are not provided in the available sources.
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average Admitted GPA: 3.72
Gender Breakdown of Admitted Students: 70% female, 30% male
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Chatham's academic profile is defined by a practical, outcomes-oriented approach with nationally recognized strengths in specific, high-demand fields. The university and its graduates are known for expertise in health and sustainability, the arts and sciences, and business. This translates into popular and distinctive majors like interior design, nursing, sustainability, and direct-entry healthcare professions (such as physician assistant studies). Other notable undergraduate programs include environmental science, elementary education, political science, and criminology. The curriculum offers both traditional majors and integrated undergraduate+graduate pathways, allowing students to accelerate into advanced degrees. The supportive, hands-on environment is frequently highlighted by students, with many praising the accessibility and dedication of professors. Completion rates show a steady progression, with about two-thirds of students graduating within six years.
Life at Chatham is actively constructed, with the administration and student leaders explicitly focused on building a vibrant and inclusive community from the ground up. The student body is diverse, including a notable international population from countries like Mexico, Egypt, and Japan. The ethos is one of participation: official advice to first-year students emphasizes showing up to campus events, taking initiative in making friends, organizing study groups, and asking people to meals. The Office of Student Affairs frames its mission as co-creating transformational experiences to help students build lives of purpose and meaning. This points to a campus culture where involvement isn't assumed but is actively facilitated through creative programming, professional development, and leadership opportunities. The setting in Pittsburgh provides an urban backdrop, but the onus is on students to engage and connect.
Chatham's strongest selling point may be its results. The university reports a remarkably high 95% career outcomes rate for its graduates, with the overwhelming majority (92%) employed full-time in their field. A smaller portion (3%) continue directly into further education. Those who enter the workforce report a mean self-reported salary of $83,252. These figures suggest the university's focus on health, sustainability, and business is effectively channeling students into in-demand careers. Federal data confirms a solid graduation rate and aligns with the institution's focus on practical, employable skills.
Chatham employs a robust scholarship and aid strategy to make attendance feasible. The university prominently advertises merit scholarships up to $32,000 per year and full-tuition awards for top academic performers, alongside additional scholarships tied to specific student interests or majors. is also available, requiring only the FAFSA with no additional forms. The —the real cost after grants and scholarships—is a key figure for families. The university provides a Net Price Calculator to offer personalized estimates, emphasizing that the stated is not the final price for most students. Financial aid, including federal loans, is disbursed each semester based on enrollment.
Chatham University stands out for its successful pivot to a clear, market-driven niche. It has moved beyond its as a women's college to become a coeducational institution known for specific, high-outcome programs in health, sustainability, and design. This isn't a liberal arts college promising a broad exploration of ideas; it's a practical university where the path from major to career is short and well-lit, evidenced by a 95% career outcomes rate. The student experience is consciously engineered—the community is "built" through programming and encouragement, appealing to students who want a supportive environment but are also self-starters. In a crowded higher-ed landscape, Chatham offers a straightforward proposition: a manageable admissions process, significant financial aid, a focus on employable skills, and a track record of placing graduates into solid careers, particularly in the fields it champions.
Chatham University seal · sourceLocations | Chatham University · sourceChatham University - Pittsburgh, PA · sourceTips for Touring Chatham — Chatham Pulse · source
