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Carlow University

Carlow University

Pittsburgh, PA · City · 1,348 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$20,786
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
58%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$51,051
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
87%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s vibrant Oakland neighborhood, Carlow University is a private, Mercy Catholic institution renowned for its premier healthcare and nursing programs housed within the College of Health and Wellness. Rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, the university uniquely distinguishes itself through a deep-seated commitment to social justice, ethical leadership, and community service, which are heavily integrated into other strong majors like education, psychology, and counseling. On campus, students thrive in a tight-knit, highly supportive environment characterized by small class sizes, while simultaneously enjoying the immense social, cultural, and internship opportunities of sharing a bustling academic hub with neighboring research universities.

Wikipedia:Carlow University is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy, it enrolled over 2,400 students as of fall 2024. The university's athletic teams are known as the Celtics, reflecting its Irish heritage.

Location
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-3165 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PIT · Pittsburgh
15 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$35,874
Housing & food (on campus)$13,808
Books & supplies$2,000
Cost of attendance$57,522
Average net price$20,786
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$35,874
Housing & food (on campus)$13,808
Books & supplies$2,000
Cost of attendance$57,522
Average net price$20,786
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.carlow.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Carlow University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$37,008
Housing$7,266
Food$7,370
Books & supplies$2,000
Personal expenses$1,300
Transportation$1,000
Total published by the school$57,522
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,901
$30–48k
$15,748
$48–75k
$19,517
$75–110k
$21,601
$110k+
$25,214
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
58%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
49%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
35%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
55% graduated · 37% transferred · 7% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$44,876
10 yrs after entry$51,051
Debt
Median at graduation$25,500
Monthly payment$270
Middle 50% owe$9.3k–$30.3k
90th percentile$41,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
87%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1080
R 500–598 · M 460–570
ACT midpoint
23
SAT middle 50%: 960–1168
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Carlow University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 16%Women 84%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
43%
First-gen
37%
Family income
$40,539
Independent
36%
Age at entry
24.0
Part-time
23%
Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
5%
Black
19%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$44,876
After 10 yrs
$51,051
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing92
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods30
Biology, General19
Psychology, General17
Business Administration, Management and Operations15
Accounting and Related Services15
Health and Medical Administrative Services12
Criminology9
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities7
English Language and Literature, General6
Neurobiology and Neurosciences6
Social Work5
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions5
Fine and Studio Arts4
Chemistry3
Human Resources Management and Services3
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$57M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$7,520/mo
Teaching spend
$10,746
per student
Federal loans
69%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Carlow University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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