Carlow University
#8 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 58% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,051 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,786 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $14.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,103,965.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.50% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Carlow University Matters
Carlow University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,348
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Carlow University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 87% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 960–1168. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,786 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,051 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $25,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 17% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.44 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 87%, Carlow University is a welcoming option for students who are passionate about fields like Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Business. The intimate enrollment of just over 1,300 students fosters a close-knit community, making it easier for individuals to connect with peers and faculty. For those who thrive in a supportive environment and are looking to make a meaningful impact in their chosen field, Carlow stands out as a solid choice.
Graduates from Carlow University earn an average of $51,051 a decade after graduation, which reflects the value of the programs offered. While the graduation rate is 58%, many students find that the skills gained in areas like Biology and Biomedical Studies translate well into the job market. The affordability of a Carlow education is also noteworthy, especially for those who qualify for financial aid, as 43% of students receive Pell Grants.
The financial aspect is important when considering college. After aid, the net price of attending Carlow is about $20,786, with a median debt of $25,500 upon graduation. This means that while the cost is manageable, students should be mindful of their debt as they enter the workforce. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who embrace a collaborative learning environment and are dedicated to their academic and professional goals.
Rankings
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- #25 Best Biology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #26 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Carlow University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carlow University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,080. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1080
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 960–1168
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,520
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 1,124
- Admitted
- 1,042
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carlow University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carlow University is $35,874, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,786. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,901 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $35,874
- Out-of-State
- $35,874
- Avg Net Price
- $20,786
- Median Debt
- $25,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 43%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,901
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,748
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,517
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,214
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Carlow University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Carlow University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carlow University earn a median of $51,051, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,876
- 8 Years
- $49,372
- 10 Years
- $51,051
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (84)
- 43%
- 100% (84)
- 43%
- 100% (84)
- 43%
- 100% (84)
- 43%
How Carlow Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Carlow University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Carlow University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,786/year ($83,144 total). Graduates earn $51,051 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,187,109 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,103,965 (14.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,144
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,187,109
- Net Return
- $1,103,965
- ROI Multiple
- 14.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,786
- Median Debt
- $25,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Carlow University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carlow University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.50%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.50%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $89,807
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,500,358
- Investment Income
- $-3,752,912
Top Programs
The fields Carlow University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 50% $70,007 early-career
- Education 13% $29,935 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $42,932 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $50,714 early-career
- Psychology 7% $33,980 early-career
- Humanities 4%
- Social Sciences 3%
- English & Literature 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Carlow University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Carlow University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,080. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Carlow University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Carlow University is $35,874, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,786. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,901 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,500 in federal student loans.
Is Carlow University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Carlow University earn a median of $51,051, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Carlow University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Carlow University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.50%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $66,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Carlow University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carlow University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Carlow University.
- Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA · Close peer54% grad $55,232 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of DubuqueDubuque, IA · Close peer41% grad $51,190 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Rivier UniversityNashua, NH · Close peer55% grad $52,248 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA · Close peer54% grad $49,156 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Carlow University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Carlow University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note