Chilstrom graduated in 1954 from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. He went on to receive a bachelor of divinity from Augustana Theological Seminary (later merged with other seminaries to form the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago) in 1958.
Chilstrom received his undergraduate degree in sociology from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, in 1954. He then pursued a theological education at Augustana Theological Seminary (which later merged with other seminaries to form the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago), earning his bachelor of divinity degree in 1958.