Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Chestnut Hill College at a Glance
Chestnut Hill College is a private Catholic college in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The college was founded in 1924 as a women's college by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It was originally named Mount Saint Joseph College.
1924
102 years old
1,072
Identity
Is Chestnut Hill College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Chestnut Hill College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,015 — 3% below average — while paying $27,970/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,389 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Chestnut Hill College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Chestnut Hill College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #105 of 160 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #6 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #105 | Chestnut Hill College | 25 | $27,970 | $52,015 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Chestnut Hill College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in PA.
Best Programs at Chestnut Hill College
The highest-earning program at Chestnut Hill College is Accounting and Related Services at $41,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $19,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Chestnut Hill College earns $41,500, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $19,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $26,911 in median debt vs. $25,637 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,970/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,500 | $41,500 | $26,911 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,400 | $39,400 | $30,533 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,600 | $34,600 | $26,630 |
| Human Services, General | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,500 | $31,500 | $27,666 |
| Psychology, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $25,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $19,900 | $19,900 | $25,637 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 815 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,970
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,015
- Median Student Debt
- $26,389