Chatham vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Chatham vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine than Chatham ($22,710 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 6% lower than at Penn State Brandywine ($13,600 vs. $14,474).
• Chatham University is 193.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $29,418 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Brandywine (about $19,234 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Brandywine (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 230.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($30,095 vs. $9,113).

Chatham vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 20 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Chatham vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Brandywine 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.