Chatham vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chatham University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Chatham vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University than Chatham ($24,561 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 27.3% lower than at Chatham University ($9,894 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 109.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $23,346 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.7% higher at Chatham than at Southern Virginia University (about $23,346 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 199.7% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($30,095 vs. $10,041).

Chatham vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 80 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Chatham students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Chatham vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $3,154 lower median loan debt than SVU graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,654).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SVU graduates ($211 vs. $244).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

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.