Chatham Admission Requirements

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1.0 2 reviews
#22 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Chatham Admission Overview

Chatham admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Chatham admitted 62% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.86 GPA (A) and SAT 1070-1295 / ACT 21-30. Chatham is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Chatham Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

62%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Chatham University

Acceptance Rate

The Chatham acceptance rate is 62%. Last year, 2,135 of 3,446 applicants were admitted. That is the 28th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Chatham and can you get accepted?

Chatham is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Chatham University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.86. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Chatham GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.86

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.86

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Chatham typically have around a 3.86 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Chatham is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

44% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #6 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Chatham University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 44.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 9.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 5.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 4.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Chatham SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1070-1295

Freshmen who sent SAT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 550
  • Math 520
  • Composite 1070
SAT 25th percentile scores for Chatham University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 670
  • Math 625
  • Composite 1295
SAT 75th percentile scores for Chatham University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Chatham typically score around a 1180 SAT (middle 50% 1070–1295) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 73rd percentile nationally. Chatham ranks #47 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1070 to 1295

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Chatham is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Chatham University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1295+ Above 75th >76%
1180 to 1295 Avg + 62%-76%
1070 to 1180 Avg - 46%-62%
Below 1070 Below mid-50 <46%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Chatham ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-30

Freshmen reporting ACT

8%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 21
  • Math 21
  • Composite 21
ACT 25th percentile scores for Chatham University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 32
  • Math 26
  • Composite 30
ACT 75th percentile scores for Chatham University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Chatham typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 21–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Chatham places #35 among colleges in Pennsylvania for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 30

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Chatham without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Chatham University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
30+ Above 75th >77%
25 to 30 Avg + 62%-77%
21 to 25 Avg - 48%-62%
Below 21 Below mid-50 <48%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Chatham chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Chatham University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,197 1,248 3,446
Accepted 1,501 634 2,135
Acceptance Rate 68% 51% 62%
Enrolled 173 99 272
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 16% 13%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Chatham University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Chatham University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Chatham University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Chatham University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Chatham is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 62% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.86 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1070-1295); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Chatham University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211556.

GPA calculator: Chatham University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026