Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
79.1% Acceptance Rate
Chestnut Hill College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.1%Acceptance Rate
3.12Avg GPA
995Avg SAT
$57,980Annual Cost
$52,015Grad Salary
47.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.1%
Avg GPA
3.12
Avg SAT
995
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
955–1025
Need-Based Aid
47.3% receive Pell
Chestnut Hill College is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, values-based education, and service. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a supportive and engaged campus community that encourages critical inquiry and personal growth. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful and reliable choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership.
Chestnut Hill College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Chestnut Hill College is inclusive by design: 79.1% 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 — 79.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.12 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.67
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Chestnut Hill College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Chestnut Hill College 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
CHC 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 (February 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.
CHC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CHC is 3.12. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.82–3.12 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.32–3.52.CHC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.12 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.92 – 3.11
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.72 – 2.91
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.71
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Chestnut Hill's M.S. in Cybersecurity is Philadelphia's only 36-credit, 20-month program chartered by the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA).
- The SSJ Mission Scholars Tuition Grant requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and four service hours per semester.
- The APA-accredited PsyD program allows entry at either Year I (rolling admission, essay ~1,200 words) or Year II via Advanced Standing (January 15 deadline, requires syllabi to establish coursework overlap).
- Chestnut Hill was founded in 1924 by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and reaffirmed its Middle States accreditation on June 27, 2024.
- 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 CHC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Chestnut Hill College'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.
Chestnut Hill College (CHC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CHC — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CHC Without SAT or ACT?
CHC neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Chestnut Hill College Average SAT Score: 995
Admitted students at Chestnut Hill College average a 995 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 995 — Accessible
A 995 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1025 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Chestnut Hill College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 955? A retake is worth it at CHC — 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 | 995 | 955 | 1025 |
A score under 955 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1025+ 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 Chestnut Hill College (CHC) with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in CHC'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 CHC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
CHC takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Target Philadelphia's only HTCIA-chartered cybersecurity master's if that's your field
Chestnut Hill's M.S. in Cybersecurity is Philadelphia's only 36-credit, 20-month program chartered by the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), delivered through 8-week online courses plus an in-person October conference. If cybersecurity investigation is your career goal, this specific HTCIA charter is a genuinely rare regional credential worth naming explicitly in your application rather than treating it as a generic cybersecurity degree.
Use the SSJ Mission Scholars Tuition Grant if community service is part of your identity
The SSJ Mission Scholars Tuition Grant assists full-time students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who complete at least four service hours per semester - a modest, achievable service commitment tied to a named, recurring scholarship reflecting the college's founding Sisters of St. Joseph mission. If you already do or plan to do regular community service, apply for this grant specifically and structure your semester service hours to maintain eligibility throughout your enrollment.
Match your PsyD essay length and content precisely to the program's exact prompt
Chestnut Hill's Doctor of Psychology program requires an approximately 1,200-word (5 double-spaced pages) essay addressing specific required topics, including your qualifications, program fit, and cultural competency - a much longer and more structured essay than a typical graduate personal statement. Draft your response against each specific required topic individually rather than writing one flowing narrative, since the admissions committee is evaluating whether you've addressed each named component.
If you already have a related master's, apply for Advanced Standing to skip Year I
Applicants with a master's-level degree in clinical/counseling psychology or a closely related field who completed foundational coursework can apply for Advanced Standing admission directly into Year II of the 6-year PsyD program, with a January 15 deadline (versus rolling admission for Year I). If you hold a relevant master's degree, apply specifically for Advanced Standing rather than starting from Year I, since this can meaningfully shorten your path to the doctorate - but note the earlier, harder January 15 deadline this track requires.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that Chestnut Hill's PsyD Advanced Standing applicants must submit course syllabi to establish "substantial overlap" between their prior graduate coursework and the program's Year I curriculum - a strong transcript alone doesn't guarantee Advanced Standing placement, and applicants who can't produce syllabi for their prior coursework may be placed in Year I despite holding a relevant master's degree.
CHC Profile
Full Name
Chestnut Hill College (CHC)
City
Philadelphia
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19118-2693
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a CHC Degree Worth It?
At $57,980/year against a $52,015 median graduate salary, CHC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $61,300, and graduates see a 4.63% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CHC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $57,980/year at CHC; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At CHC, 47.3% receive a Pell Grant and 73.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CHC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CHC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CHC graduates report a median income of $52,015, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Chestnut Hill College. 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 |
| 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 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Chestnut Hill College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Chestnut Hill College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
Degree Programs at CHC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CHC Admissions
Chestnut Hill College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,015/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Chestnut Hill College runs high — roughly $57,980+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
47.3% of Chestnut Hill College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Chestnut Hill College's acceptance rate is 79.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Chestnut Hill College students is 3.12, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.82 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Chestnut Hill College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.72 or below makes admission tougher at Chestnut Hill College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Chestnut Hill College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 995, and within the 955–1025 range, keeps you competitive.
Chestnut Hill College 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 February 1, 2026 — that's Chestnut Hill College'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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