Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #1047 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,574 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chestnut Hill College in the 38.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #923 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #1047 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Philadelphia, PA, Chestnut Hill College enrolls roughly 815 undergraduates. Retention stands at 62.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.8%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts-focused institution. Where Chestnut Hill College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #923 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,964, and Chestnut Hill College sits in the 38.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix centers on Business, which aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to the solid financial outcomes graduates achieve relative to comparable institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Chestnut Hill College sits in the 62.0 percentile for access and the 18.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the institution's positioning as a selective private college with a higher sticker price. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 36.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families seeking a smaller, values-driven institution with demonstrated return on investment and a business-focused curriculum, Chestnut Hill College offers a coherent path to solid long-term financial outcomes.
Chestnut Hill College's published cost of attendance is $58,168. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $28,011, middle-income families pay around $22,714, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,175. Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #1165 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Chestnut Hill College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college's aid structure is need-based, with institutional grants available to qualifying students. Understanding how aid packages work at the institution level — rather than relying on sticker price alone — is essential to evaluating true affordability; see the net price illusion for how published costs and actual family payments diverge. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,389, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Chestnut Hill College's median four-year earnings of $55,964, median federal debt of $26,389 projects to a monthly payment of about $298 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Chestnut Hill College is a good fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private college experience in PA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,964, placing Chestnut Hill College in the 30.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,574 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 38.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports access for Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 52.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 44.4% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $33,175, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 74.5% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors Business and related fields over STEM-heavy ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a supportive academic environment.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Chestnut Hill College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Accounting and Related Services
7 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
28 graduates
Security Science and Technology
22 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
24 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
29 graduates
Chestnut Hill College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college in the Philadelphia region. Human Services, General is the largest program with 43 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Security Science and Technology.
The institution's dominant concentration in Business — representing 18% of degrees — positions Chestnut Hill College as a career-focused option for students seeking direct pathways to professional employment. The highest-earning programs at Chestnut Hill College reflect strong outcomes in applied professional fields.
Accounting graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $80,579 with 7 graduates, while Business Administration delivers median earnings of $66,885 and Security Science and Technology reaches $60,744. Criminal Justice and Teacher Education round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating consistent strength across the institution's professional-oriented portfolio.
These outcomes align with Chestnut Hill College's positioning as a private institution serving students who prioritize early-career financial outcomes and stable employment pathways. The program mix reflects a concentration in fields where graduates enter the workforce directly rather than pursuing graduate study.
Business, accounting, nursing, and related professional disciplines dominate the degree output, creating a cohort focused on immediate labor-market entry and career advancement. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Chestnut Hill College's dominant program families align with regional and national employment demand in healthcare, finance, and business services sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Chestnut Hill College's published cost of attendance is $58,168. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $28,011, middle-income families pay around $22,714, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,175.
Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #1165 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Chestnut Hill College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The college's aid structure is need-based, with institutional grants available to qualifying students. Understanding how aid packages work at the institution level — rather than relying on sticker price alone — is essential to evaluating true affordability; see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for how published costs and actual family payments diverge.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,389, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Chestnut Hill College's median four-year earnings of $55,964, median federal debt of $26,389 projects to a monthly payment of about $298 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Chestnut Hill College earn median 4-year earnings of $55,964, placing Chestnut Hill College in the 30.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,574 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chestnut Hill College in the 38.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Chestnut Hill College #923 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Chestnut Hill College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Human Services, General is the largest program with 43 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,375, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 29 students with median 4-year earnings of $51,339, and Business Administration delivers median 4-year earnings of $66,885 across 28 graduates.
Together, these programs anchor the institution's return profile and align with the regional labor market in the Philadelphia area.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southwest Baptist University Similar quality tier (#29385 ranked) | MO | 68% | $43,112 | #29385 | Compare |
Drew University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#29391 ranked) | NJ | 68% | $63,646 | #29391 | Compare |
Goshen College Similar quality tier (#29392 ranked) | IN | 84% | $51,943 | #29392 | Compare |
Kenyon College Similar quality tier (#29397 ranked) | OH | 31% | $71,830 | #29397 | Compare |
Canisius University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#29378 ranked) | NY | 72% | $60,681 | #29378 | Compare |
