Chatham vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Abington is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (2,885 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Chatham vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington than Chatham ($19,232 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 6% lower than at Penn State Abington ($13,600 vs. $14,474).
• Chatham University is 192.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $29,358 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.9% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Abington (about $18,962 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Abington (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 204.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($30,095 vs. $9,883).

Chatham vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington and Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming Chatham students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Abington (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Penn State Abington (3.42).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Chatham vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and Penn State Abington? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington 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.