Chatham vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA with Roanoke College in Salem, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chatham University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Chatham vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College than Chatham ($26,044 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 11.5% lower than at Roanoke College ($13,600 vs. $15,366).
• Chatham University is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roanoke College (about $6,558 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Chatham than at Roanoke College (about $6,558 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($30,095 vs. $28,188).

Chatham vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College and Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 20 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Chatham vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 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 Roanoke College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.