Chatham vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

Chatham vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango than Chatham ($18,383 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 11% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($13,600 vs. $15,274).
• Chatham University is 218.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Shenango (about $30,602 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $14,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.4% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Shenango (about $21,066 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $23,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Shenango (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 235.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($30,095 vs. $8,962).

Chatham vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Shenango (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• 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 Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

Chatham vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango 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.