Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Online | carlow.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, Carlow University is a private Catholic institution situated on 15 acres adjacent to the city's educational and cultural district. Founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy, the university occupies the former estate of industrialist Andrew Carnegie and maintains its original Victorian Gothic architecture while incorporating modern academic facilities. The institution, which began as Mount Mercy College for women, now operates as a co-educational university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular emphasis in nursing, healthcare, education, and social work. Carlow's campus features traditional residence halls for undergraduate students and maintains a commitment to its founding Mercy values while serving a diverse student population. The university competes in the NAIA River States Conference, participating primarily in women's athletics programs.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Carlow University is rated within the lower 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Carlow University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#773 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#498 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#69 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#54 in Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania
#66 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 850/1100 |
| GPA | 3.6 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,126 |
| Room and Board | $13,406 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,382 |
| Total One Year Cost | $52,290 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 26% |
| Education | 24% |
| Business | 13% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Biology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Carlow University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211431 IPEDS survey data for Carlow University.
Current students may use the Carlow University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025