Carlow University is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy. The university’s athletic teams are known as the Celtics, reflecting its Irish heritage. As of 2017–2018, Carlow's student body was predominantly female, with women comprising 84% and men 16% of the student population.

The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1843. They traveled from County Carlow, Ireland to the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. They purchased 13 acres within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and established a new motherhouse, as well as Our Lady of Mercy Academy.

In 1929, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mount Mercy College, with the first commencement ceremony in 1933. Key campus buildings were constructed during the early years, including Aquinas Hall in 1936 and Trinity Hall in 1941. The college admitted men under the G.I. Bill in 1945, with Peter F. Flaherty, who went on to become a two-term Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Commissioner, among the first male students.

In 1948, Antonian Hall opened, with office, classroom, and theater space. Thirteen years later, in 1961, Frances Warde Hall dormitory opened on campus. Prior to this, students lived in houses or halls in the surrounding area. Mount Mercy College's name was changed to Carlow College in 1969. A year later, Curran Hall was renovated to house the nursing school. In 1975, Carlow's mission statement was drafted. In 1978, Carlow College offered what few institutions of higher education did at the time - accelerated classes designed for working adults.

In 2004, Carlow College officially became Carlow University, and a year later appointed its first lay president, Mary Hines.

In fall 2012, Carlow began competition in men's and women's cross country, the first male sport offered at Carlow. Carlow announced on March 17, 2014, that it would field a men's basketball team for the 2014–2015 season. In September 2015, Carlow announced it would add men's soccer and men's and women's golf teams beginning in Fall 2016. In December 2016, Carlow announced that it would add men's and women's track and field teams beginning spring 2018.

Academic rankings
Master's
Washington Monthly	234
Regional
U.S. News & World Report	113

Carlow University is organized into two colleges (one for Arts and Sciences, one for Health and Wellness) across three campuses—Oakland, Cranberry, and Greensburg. The main campus in Oakland spans 13 acres and includes 14 buildings, such as Frances Warde Hall, named after one of the founding Sisters of Mercy, and the Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology.

The Sisters of Mercy Convent is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and motherhouse for nearly 150 Sisters of Mercy.

St. Agnes Church, dedicated in 1917, was designed by "nationally influential church-architect," John T. Comes. Masses are celebrated in the center on special occasions, such as the opening of a new academic year.

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The Carlow athletic teams are called the Celtics. The university is a member of NCAA Division III, competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) since the 2023-2024 academic year. They are also a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Prior to the 2023-2024 academic year, the Celtics competed in the NAIA. They were affiliated with the American Mideast Conference from 2001–02 to 2011–12 (when the conference dissolved) and the American Rivers Conference from 2012-2013 to 2022-2023.

Carlow competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading.

In July 2022, Carlow was invited to join the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and as a provisional member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), starting in the 2023–24 academic year.

After a brief hiatus in intercollegiate competition, the Carlow women's basketball program sprung back into action in 1990. The team competes in at least 26 competitions per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference.

The Carlow Celtics play their home games in Oakland Catholic High School. In addition, the Celtics have been recognized for academic success and have been ranked the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for academic success, placing in the NAIA's top 20 on numerous occasions while also earning individual honors as NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Men's basketball began in Fall 2014.

Carlow University women's soccer team started competition in 1999–2000 and made a playoff appearance in 2000–2001. The team competes at Founders Field and at least 18 contests per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference. The 2016 season was the first for men's soccer.

Carlow University women's softball began as an intercollegiate sport at Carlow in 1997. The team entered its first year of American Mideast Conference competition in 2001. Although the team conditions year round, Carlow's official spring training begins in March when the team typically travels south to locations in Florida or South Carolina. Home games are played at Fairhaven Park or nearby Mazeroski Field. The team competes in at least 17 competitions per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference.

Intercollegiate women's tennis competition has a long-standing history at Carlow. The program started in the 1980s which makes it Carlow's second oldest athletic program. The team competes as a member of the American Mideast Conference.

Carlow fielded its first men's and women's track and field teams in the Spring of 2018.

Carlow University women's volleyball is the longest standing of Carlow's athletic programs. The team competes in at least 24 contest dates per season as a member of the American Mideast Conference. The Carlow Celtics volleyball team play their home games in St. Joseph Hall.

Since 1979, the Madwomen in the Attic program at Carlow University has created a space for writing, the exchange of ideas, and the publication of women’s literature. The program offers workshops, publishing opportunities, mentorship, and readings. Semester-long creative writing workshops are open to undergraduate students and community writers (women ages 18-99).

• Peter Francis Flaherty, 54th Mayor of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (D), 1970–1977

• Jan Beatty, poet and radio personality
• Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, soprano singer and voice teacher
• Marylouise Fennell, president 1982–1989

• Victoria Nalongo Namusisi (awarded an honorary doctorate)

• Official website
• Official athletics website