Birmingham Southern College vs. Chatham

Should I go to Birmingham Southern College or Chatham University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Birmingham Southern College or Chatham is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Birmingham Southern College vs. Chatham University comparison
Birmingham Southern College Chatham University College 3 College 4
Birmingham Southern College Chatham University
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Overview

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Location Birmingham, AL Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 975 2,387
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #288
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsc.edu chatham.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Tuition (In State) $20,000 $40,625
Tuition (Out of State) $20,000 $40,625
Room & Board $14,000 $12,719
Avg Net Price $21,153 $28,322
Avg Grant Aid $14,163 $27,330
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,019 3,514
Admitted 1,726 2,331
Acceptance Rate 57.2% 66.3%
Enrolled % 14.1% 13.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.86
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 22/29 21/29
SAT Range 1150/1280 1060/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Graduation Rate 62% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,850 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $277 $211

Diversity

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
% Men 53% 25%
% Women 47% 75%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 72%
% Black 11% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
% In-State 55% 70%
% Out-of-State 44% 26%

Campus

Birmingham Southern College Chatham
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Chatham University is larger than than Birmingham Southern College based on total student enrollment (2,387 students vs. 975 students)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Birmingham Southern College or Chatham?

  • Chatham University is 103.1% more expensive to attend than Birmingham Southern College for in-state tuition ($40,625.00 vs. $20,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 103.1% higher at Chatham than Birmingham Southern College ($40,625.00 vs. $20,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Birmingham Southern College than Chatham ($21,153 vs. $28,322)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 10.1% lower than costs at Birmingham Southern College ($12,719 vs. $14,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Birmingham Southern College as Chatham University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 93% larger than aid received Birmingham Southern College ($27,330 vs. $14,163)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Chatham Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Birmingham Southern College or Chatham? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Chatham or Birmingham Southern College .

  • Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Birmingham Southern College (3.72)
  • Chatham has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Birmingham Southern College (57.2%)

Birmingham Southern College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Birmingham Southern College or Chatham? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Chatham and Birmingham Southern College.

  • The graduation rate at Birmingham Southern College is higher than Chatham University (62% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Birmingham Southern College earn on average $14,300 more per year than Chatham graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $36,700)
  • Chatham University students graduate with a $6,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $26,850)
  • Chatham graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than Birmingham Southern College graduates. ($211 vs. $277)
  • More Birmingham Southern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/