Chatham vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Chatham vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Chatham ($21,267 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 12.3% lower than at Chatham University ($11,930 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $7,126 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Chatham than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $7,126 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($30,095 vs. $29,923).

Chatham vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming VWC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Chatham vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 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 VWC graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

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.