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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 school follows 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. Read more about what you can expect if you get into Chatham University.
Quick Facts
1,555
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$44,824
Tuition
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to improve your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Chatham University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,135 in 2025. Chatham University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. 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
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 21.6% and ACT scores 7.4%. 3% of the first-year 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 freshman students 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 while 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 598 and an average SAT Math score of 563.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is August 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore 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%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the best match for you is not simple. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Chatham University in 2025 was 2,314.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 33% for that year. There was a total of 1,555 undergraduate students, including 43 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 91.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 504 male and 1,204 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. There were 126 full-time graduate male and 533 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 43, while the number of African American students was 94. 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 costs.
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. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,162.
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The approximate cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
At Chatham University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $14,008. 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
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. 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. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $36,846.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 460 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Chatham University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came 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. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
667 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school 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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
This school has recently reported to have 430 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 154 men and 276 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Chatham University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at Chatham University.
Its campus spans 427 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 52. The most popular student organization 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.
If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Chatham University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Chatham University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
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 everything most students need.
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 excellent 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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the 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.
