Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
87.1% Acceptance Rate
Carlow University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.1%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
975Avg SAT
$46,864Annual Cost
$51,051Grad Salary
41.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.1%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
975
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
935–1005
Need-Based Aid
41.2% receive Pell
Carlow University is a private, Catholic, Mercy-based institution in Pittsburgh dedicated to social justice and the development of the whole person. Admissions emphasize both academic potential and a commitment to the university's mission of service. Successful candidates demonstrate a balance of academic achievement and an active interest in advocacy or community-driven leadership roles.
Carlow University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Carlow University is inclusive by design: 87.1% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Carlow University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Carlow University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Carlow University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Carlow University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Carlow University is 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.80–4.00.Carlow University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Undergraduate biology students at Carlow get first priority for the 18 annual seats in the clinical portion of the UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion program.
- The low-residency MFA requires two-week residencies in both Pittsburgh and Ireland, along with two required essays and a creative writing sample.
- Partnerships with other institutions let students take Carlow classes at their home institution's per-credit cost, getting a head start on specific Carlow bachelor's programs.
- Uses "Highest Section" superscoring for the SAT, combining the best individual section scores across all submitted test dates.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Carlow University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Carlow University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Carlow University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Carlow University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Carlow University Without SAT or ACT?
Carlow University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Carlow University Average SAT Score: 975
Admitted students at Carlow University average a 975 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 975 — Accessible
A 975 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1005 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Carlow University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 935? A retake is worth it at Carlow University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 975 | 935 | 1005 |
A score under 935 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1005+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Carlow University with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Carlow University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Carlow University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Carlow University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Target the UPMC Cardiovascular Perfusion Pipeline if Applicable
Carlow undergraduate biology students get first priority for the 18 annual seats in the clinical portion of the UPMC School of Cardiovascular Perfusion program. Plan biology coursework and advising specifically around this pipeline - a genuine, limited-seat advantage tied directly to being a current Carlow undergraduate.
Prepare for the Low-Residency MFA's Dual-Continent Requirement
Carlow's low-residency MFA requires two-week residencies in both Pittsburgh and Ireland, plus two required essays (a 300-word self-assessment and a 500-750 word literary critical response) alongside a creative writing sample. Plan for the international travel commitment specifically - this dual-location structure is unusual among low-residency MFA programs.
Use Cross-Institution Partnerships to Start Carlow Coursework Early
Carlow has partnered with other institutions to let students take Carlow classes at their home institution's per-credit cost, getting a head start on a Carlow bachelor's in particular programs. Ask specifically which programs qualify before assuming it applies broadly.
Submit Multiple Test Dates to Leverage Superscoring
Carlow uses "Highest Section" superscoring, combining the best individual section scores across all submitted SAT test dates. Submit scores from multiple test dates rather than a single sitting to maximize this.
Expert Insight:
Carlow's Mercy-founded identity shapes its admissions philosophy toward individualized, flexible accommodation (including specific provisions for students with disabilities and special circumstances) rather than rigid standardized criteria. Students with unique academic or personal circumstances should reach out directly to admissions rather than assuming a purely numbers-based review process.
Carlow University Profile
Full Name
Carlow University
City
Pittsburgh
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15213-3165
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Carlow University Degree Worth It?
Whether Carlow University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $52,900, and graduates see a 3.48% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Carlow University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $46,864/year at Carlow University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Carlow University, 41.2% receive a Pell Grant and 68.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Carlow University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Carlow University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Carlow University graduates report a median income of $51,051, about 26% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Carlow University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Carlow University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Carlow University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Carlow University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Carlow University Admissions
Carlow University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $51,051/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Carlow University is moderate, around $46,864/year; many students supplement with aid.
41.2% of Carlow University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Carlow University's acceptance rate is 87.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Carlow University students is 3.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Carlow University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.2 or below makes admission tougher at Carlow University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Carlow University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 975, and within the 935–1005 range, keeps you competitive.
Carlow University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority) — that's Carlow University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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