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Chatham University vs Chestnut Hill College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Pittsburgh PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Philadelphia PA

The verdict

Chatham University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $119,816 in 29.6 years versus 30.6 years at Chestnut Hill College, on median earnings of $52,410 vs $52,015 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureChatham UniversityChestnut Hill College
Net price / yr$29,954$27,970
Total net cost$119,816$111,880
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,410$52,015
Median debt$23,250$26,389
Payback29.6 yrs30.6 yrs
20-year net return-$38,816-$38,780

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College?

Chestnut Hill College, at $27,970 a year after aid versus $29,954 — a gap of $1,984 a year, or $7,936 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College graduates earn more?

Chatham University graduates report a median $52,410 ten years after entry, $395 more than the $52,015 at Chestnut Hill College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College?

Chatham University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $26,389 at Chestnut Hill College, a difference of $3,139. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Chatham University, against 49% at Chestnut Hill College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Chatham University vs Chestnut Hill College: frequently asked questions

Is Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College a better value?
Chatham University. It clears its $119,816 net cost in about 29.6 years versus 30.6 years at Chestnut Hill College, on median earnings of $52,410 vs $52,015 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College?
Chestnut Hill College: $27,970/yr net price after aid versus $29,954/yr at Chatham University — a difference of $1,984 a year, or about $7,936 over four years.
Do Chatham University or Chestnut Hill College graduates earn more?
Chatham University graduates earn a median $52,410 ten years after entry, versus $52,015 at Chestnut Hill College — a $395 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.