Arcadia vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Chatham University 10:1.

Arcadia vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or Chatham? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Chatham ($30,037 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 20.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($13,600 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chatham (about $4,984 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at Arcadia than at Chatham University (about $4,984 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Chatham University students ($34,705 vs. $30,095).

Arcadia vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or Chatham? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Chatham and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Arcadia vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and Chatham? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.