Carlow University Degree Programs
Carlow University appears in our ranking of 50 Affordable Accelerated MSN Online Programs.
A private Catholic university, Carlow University offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, 35 graduate degrees and a variety of certificate programs across its four colleges, which include the following:
- The College of Health and Wellness
- The College of Leadership and Social Change
- The College of Learning and Innovation
- The College of Professional Studies
The College of Health and Wellness offers undergraduate degree programs in nursing, respiratory care, health management, and healthcare data analytics. Graduate degree programs include Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, degrees with Family Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner concentrations. Another popular graduate degree program is one that grants a Master of Science in Education and Leadership.
Carlow University’s College of Leadership and Social Change offers a variety of undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs, including ones in accounting, behavioral neuroscience, criminology, forensic accounting, human resources management, and political science. Graduate degree programs include the popular Master of Business Administration, or MBA, program, which consists of 36 credit hours and is also available in accelerated or online formats. The college is one of the few in the country to offer a Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics, or MFF, degree. Other graduate degree programs include a Master of Social Work, or MSW, degree program and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling degree program.
The College of Learning and Innovation offers undergraduate degree programs in a variety of subjects, including art education, biology, chemistry, early childhood education, liberal studies and special education. Graduate degree programs offered by this college include an MFA in Creative Writing; an MEd in Early Childhood Education; and an MA in Art.
Finally, the College of Professional Studies offers an array of flat-rate graduate certificate programs that grad students can complete to hone their skills and boost their credentials. These include certificate programs in alcohol and drug counseling; online teaching; STEM teaching; and healthcare management.
Carlow University also offers many flexible and creative degree options, including its popular Fast Track MSN-to-DNP program, which takes about 20 months to complete.
Many online degree programs are also offered by the school, including ones for business management; communication; education; health management; and nursing. Carlow’s online MBA program is one of its most popular online offerings.
About Carlow University
Situated in downtown Pittsburgh’s Tech, Ed and Med District, Carlow University has a population of roughly 2,076 students, including 1,333 undergraduate students. This private, coeducational Catholic university’s student population consists of roughly 84 percent women and 16 percent men. When it was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, the school was called Mount Mercy College. In 1969, its name changed to Carlow College. In 1978, the school became among the first to offer accelerated degree programs for working adults, and it switched to its current name in 2004.
Carlow University Accreditation Details
Carlow University holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or MSCHE. Additional accreditations that are held by various departments within the university include:
- Accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or CCNE, for its nursing degree programs
- Accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education, or CSWE, for its social work degree programs
- Accreditation from the American Psychology Association, or APA, for its psychology degree programs
- Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care for its respiratory care degree programs
Carlow University Application Requirements
To be considered for admission into Carlow University as a traditional undergraduate student, applicants must have received their high school diplomas within the last five years. Although not required, preference is given to students who follow a college preparatory curriculum in high school, which consists of 18 units. The school also gives preference to applicants who graduated in the top two-fifths of their classes.
In terms of competitiveness, 86.6 percent of applicants are accepted into Carlow University. Of those who are accepted, only 32 percent actually enroll. In the most recent year, 778 out of 898 applicants were accepted to the university.
On average, incoming students have high school GPAs of 3.26, ACT scores of between 19 and 24 and SAT scores of between 1100 and 1180. Carlow University accepts AP credits and dual-enrollment credits, and the school offers credit for life experience in some instances.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for full-time undergraduate students at Carlow University averages around $971 per credit hour, which is equal to a yearly cost of $30,528. The school charges a variety of mandatory fees that are included in that figure, including a university fee; a student activity fee; a technology fee; and a health and wellness fee.
Graduate students at Carlow University pay an average of $19,000 per year in tuition. The average cost for master’s degree programs at the school is $876 per credit hour. Doctoral degree programs cost around $1,028 per credit hour, executive MBA programs cost around $1,051 per credit hour and MEd degree programs cost around $600 per credit hour.
All undergraduate students who attend Carlow University receive financial aid of some kind and are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to determine what they qualify for. On average, undergraduate students receive $15,275 in grants and scholarships; $4,106 in Pell grants; and $7,763 in federal student loans.
First-time students of Carlow University are eligible for merit scholarships that are based on a combination of the student’s ACT or SAT scores and their high school GPA. Awards range from $7,000 to $20,000, and the scholarships include the Presidential Scholarship; the Trustee Scholarship; the Dean Scholarship; the Provost Scholarship; and the University Scholarship.
Many students receive the Catholic High School Award, which provides $5,000 per year to students who attended Catholic high schools. The Legacy Award provides $2,000 per year to students with parents or grandparents who are alumni of the school. Those who dual enroll while in high school may also be eligible for the College in High School Award, which totals $1,000 per year.
Students who are also employees of the City of Pittsburgh receive 20 percent off of tuition, and a number of need-based grants, including the Carlow Grant and the Carlow Residential Student Grant, are also available.
With its four colleges and dozens of degree programs, Carlow University is a flexible option for many students.