Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
70.1% Acceptance Rate
Chatham University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.1%Acceptance Rate
3.86Avg GPA
1205Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$56,981Annual Cost
$52,410Grad Salary
21.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.1%
Avg GPA
3.86
Avg SAT
1205
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1290
ACT Middle 50%
23–27
Need-Based Aid
21.1% receive Pell
Chatham University, established in 1869 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a private university ranked #26 in Regional Universities North by U.S. News. Known for its sustainability initiatives and women's leadership programs, Chatham offers unique degrees in environmental science, health sciences, and creative writing. The 388-acre Shadyside Campus features modern facilities like the Eden Hall Farm, a net-zero energy campus for sustainable research.
Chatham's legacy includes the historic Pennsylvania Women's College, and it now offers coeducational programs while retaining a strong focus on gender equity. The university's location in Pittsburgh provides access to healthcare, tech, and environmental organizations for internships. Chatham also emphasizes global learning, with study-abroad partnerships and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized education.
Chatham University Acceptance Rate
Chatham University is moderately selective. 70.1% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Chatham Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 70.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.86 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.66 – 3.85
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.41
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Chatham University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Chatham University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Chatham 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.
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) 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.
Chatham GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Chatham is 3.86. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.56 and 3.86, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.06–4.26.Chatham GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
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
3.86 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.66 – 3.85
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.46 – 3.65
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.45
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No Common App essay or supplemental essay required for general undergraduate admission.
- Offers a 3+2 Integrated Degree Program (IDP) giving qualified first-year applicants a conditional pathway into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.
- PA program requires CASPA verification by October 1; 4+ remaining prerequisites disqualifies an applicant from interview.
- Eden Hall Campus (388 acres) is a distinct working-farm campus housing the Falk School of Sustainability and Environment.
- 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 Chatham
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Chatham 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.
Chatham University (Chatham) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Chatham. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Chatham Without SAT or ACT?
Chatham considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Chatham University Average SAT Score: 1205
Admitted students at Chatham University average a 1205 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1205 — Slightly Competitive
A 1205 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Chatham University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1070? A retake is worth it at Chatham. 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 | 570 | 520 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 610 | 550 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1205 | 1070 | 1290 |
A score under 1070 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1290+ 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 1200
Can I get into Chatham University (Chatham) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Chatham'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.
Chatham University (Chatham) ACT Requirements
Chatham's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 22 | 26 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 23 | 27 |
Can I get into Chatham University with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of Chatham's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Chatham weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Chatham
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Chatham takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Skip the essay-polishing, focus elsewhere
Chatham requires no Common App essay and no supplemental essay for general undergraduate admission. Redirect that effort toward your activities list and recommendation letters, which carry more comparative weight here.
Look into the 3+2 Integrated Degree Program if pre-health is your goal
Highly qualified first-year applicants can gain a conditional pathway into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program based on high school performance. Apply for IDP consideration through undergraduate admissions alongside your freshman application.
Plan prerequisites against the CASPA deadline if applying to the PA program directly
Having 4 or more remaining prerequisite courses at submission disqualifies you from an interview. Plan your prerequisite completion timeline against the October 1 CASPA verification deadline, not the application-open date.
Name Eden Hall Campus specifically if sustainability interests you
This 388-acre working farm campus houses the Falk School of Sustainability and Environment. Referencing it by name signals real program knowledge rather than a generic "I love your mission" line.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume the PA program follows a normal undergrad timeline. CASPA verification alone can take 4-6 weeks, and having 4+ unfinished prerequisites at submission disqualifies you from an interview - submit by early August, not near the deadline.
Chatham Profile
Full Name
Chatham University (Chatham)
City
Pittsburgh
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15232
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Chatham Degree Worth It?
Whether Chatham 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 $56,100, and graduates see a 3.33% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Chatham Cost?
Listed tuition runs $56,981/year at Chatham. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Chatham, 21.1% receive a Pell Grant and 63.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Chatham on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Chatham Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Chatham graduates report a median income of $52,410, about 29% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Chatham University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Chatham University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Chatham University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Chatham
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Chatham Admissions
Chatham University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,410/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Chatham University runs high, at roughly $56,981+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
21.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Chatham University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Chatham University's acceptance rate is 70.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Chatham University students is 3.86, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.56 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Chatham University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.46 or below makes admission tougher at Chatham University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Chatham University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1205, and within the 1070–1290 range, keeps you competitive.
Chatham University's deadline is November 15 (Early Action). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Chatham 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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