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Pittsburgh , PA
Chatham University is a private university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1869, it is one of the oldest institutions for women's education in the United States. Over the years, Chatham has grown into a coeducational university that offers a diverse range of academic programs across various disciplines. With a commitment to sustainability and the environment, Chatham has been recognized as a leader in sustainability education and is the first university in the United States to have a fully sustainable campus.
Chatham University is comprised of two campuses: Shadyside Campus and Eden Hall Campus. The Shadyside Campus is located in the heart of Pittsburgh and is home to the undergraduate college and most of the graduate programs. It offers a liberal arts curriculum with undergraduate majors in fields like Biology, Creative Writing, Environmental Science, and many more. The Eden Hall Campus, located just 20 miles north of downtown Pittsburgh, is a state-of-the-art sustainable learning and living environment. It is dedicated to promoting sustainability through academic and research programs focused on environmental studies, sustainability, and food systems.
Chatham University provides students with a supportive and inclusive community that encourages intellectual growth and personal development. With small class sizes and accessible faculty, students receive individual attention and guidance throughout their academic journey. The university is also known for its commitment to experiential learning, offering students various internship, co-op, and research opportunities that help them gain real-world experience in their chosen fields. With its rich history, dedication to sustainability, and strong academic programs, Chatham University is an excellent choice for students seeking a well-rounded education in a vibrant city setting.
Located in Pittsburgh, PA and set in an urban environment, Chatham University is a private university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 61%. The freshman retention rate at Chatham University is 78% and the six-year graduation rate is 63%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. To find out more about what Chatham University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,555
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$44,824
Tuition
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Learn some essential data about admission policy and requirements at Chatham University.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,135 in 2025. Chatham University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
21.6% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 7.4% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 3% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 48% between 1,200 and 1,399, 38% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 10% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 33, 38 between 24-29, 29 in the range between 18-23, and 3 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 25 and the average GPA was 3.59. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Chatham University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 598 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 563.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Chatham University was 78%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 2,314 students.
That year, the school had 33% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,555, 43 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 91 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 504 male and 1,204 female full-time students in 2025. There were 126 full-time graduate male and 533 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Chatham University.
This school had 43 Asian students and 94 Afro-American students in 2025. There were also 40 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Chatham University estimated tuition price.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $44,824 in 2025. Chatham University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,162 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. Most students have to pay about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at Chatham University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Chatham University was $14,008 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $7,004 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,000.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 44,824 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,008 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 59,832 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for most students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Chatham University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 145 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $36,846 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
460 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Chatham University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 768. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $2,211,985, and state $1,720,871. The students of Chatham University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $21,862,217, and external in the amount of $433,935.
$9,560
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 667 students overall (including freshmen) at Chatham University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 145 full-time freshman.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
None:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
This school has recently reported to have 430 faculty members. This number included 154 male and 276 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Chatham University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Chatham University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at Chatham University.
Its campus is 427 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 52 open-membership organizations at Chatham University. The student organization that is most favored by students is Graduate Student Assembly, followed by Creative Writing Club and MFA Writing Council and Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC). Other popular student organizations at this school are Residence Hall Council and Chatham Student Government.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Chatham University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
Chatham University offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Chatham University.
All in all, campus life at Chatham University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Chatham University.
Career Counselling
At Chatham University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Chatham University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Chatham University is 44,824 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Chatham University is 61%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Chatham University is 78%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.