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Chapman University

Chapman University

Orange, CA · City · 7,478 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$46,555
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
81%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$70,070
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
65%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Located in the historic heart of Orange, California, Chapman University is a mid-sized private institution best known for its top-ranked Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, alongside highly regarded programs in the Argyros School of Business and Economics, the performing arts, and the health sciences. Campus life blends a tight-knit, collaborative academic community with an energetic Southern California lifestyle, characterized by accessible faculty mentorship, an entrepreneurial mindset, and active Greek and student organizations. Distinctively, Chapman provides students with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional direct pipelines into the entertainment and business industries, all anchored by a picturesque campus just steps from the historic Old Towne Orange plaza.

Wikipedia:Chapman University is a private research university in Orange, California, United States. Encompassing eleven colleges, the university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The school maintains its founding affiliations with the Christian Church and the United Church of Christ, but is a secular university.

Location
Orange, CA, 92866 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SNA · Orange County
8 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$64,984
Housing & food (on campus)$17,814
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$97,176
Average net price$46,555
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$64,984
Housing & food (on campus)$17,814
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$97,176
Average net price$46,555
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.chapman.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Chapman University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$69,990
Fees$404
Housing$15,618
Food$6,082
Books & supplies$1,600
Personal expenses$2,100
Transportation$1,300
Total published by the school$97,176
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$33,559
$30–48k
$33,978
$48–75k
$33,709
$75–110k
$40,011
$110k+
$55,066
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$23,936
First-years who got one330
Source: Chapman University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
81%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
71%
Back for yr 2
92%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
82% graduated · 13% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$58,080
10 yrs after entry$70,070
Debt
Median at graduation$20,500
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$10k–$26.8k
90th percentile$30,750
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
65%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1357
R 630–720 · M 630–720
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 28–31 · E 28–35 · M 25–29
SAT middle 50%: 1260–1440
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Chapman University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
18%
Family income
$79,694
Independent
4%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
3%
Race & ethnicity
White
47%
Hispanic
20%
Black
2%
Asian
16%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$58,080
After 10 yrs
$70,070
Business Administration, Management and Operations444
Film/Video and Photographic Arts180
Psychology, General171
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft105
Public Health103
Communication and Media Studies98
Business/Corporate Communications98
Political Science and Government76
Business/Managerial Economics58
Computer Science57
Education, General56
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication50
Accounting and Related Services48
Biology, General47
Graphic Communications45
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies37
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$805M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$13,611/mo
Teaching spend
$21,557
per student
Federal loans
60%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$48M research spending · 44 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Chapman University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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