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Orange , CA
Chapman University is a private institution located in Orange, California. Established in 1861, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the state. Known for its excellent academics, intimate class sizes, and vibrant campus culture, Chapman offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
At Chapman, students benefit from a student-centered approach to education. The university is committed to providing a personalized learning experience, with an average class size of 20 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. This allows for meaningful interactions between professors and students, fostering a collaborative and engaging environment. Chapman's academic programs, which span disciplines such as the arts, business, sciences, and healthcare, are designed to prepare students for successful careers and a lifetime of learning.
Apart from its strong academic foundation, Chapman University offers a vibrant campus life. Located in the heart of Southern California, students have access to a wide range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities. The campus itself is home to numerous student organizations, sports teams, and clubs, allowing students to engage in extracurricular activities that align with their interests. Additionally, Chapman's close proximity to the vibrant cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim provides access to internships, career opportunities, and a rich cultural scene.
Overall, Chapman University is recognized for its academic excellence, personalized education, and vibrant campus life. With its dynamic programs and commitment to fostering a well-rounded student experience, Chapman is an institution that prepares students not only for successful careers but also for a fulfilling and enriching life beyond graduation.
Located in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 65%. The freshman retention rate at Chapman University is 91.81% and the six-year graduation rate is 82%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is February 15.
Learn more about what Chapman University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,713
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$67,490
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
82%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Check out some vital information about admission at Chapman University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,230 in 2025. Chapman University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
14.48% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4.79% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 31.96% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 56.16% between 1,200 and 1,399, 10.05% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.83% between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 53.95, 40.79 between 24-29, 3.95 in the range between 18-23, and 1.32 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 29 while the average GPA was 3.78. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Chapman University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 672 and an average SAT Math score of 667.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is February 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Chapman University was 91.81% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 82%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Chapman University in 2025 was 9,760.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 33.36. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 7,713, 218 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 293.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,360 male and 5,531 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,216, and the number of Afro-American students was 167. 1,486 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 667 identified with more than one race. The school also had 18 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 189 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
Tuition in 2025 was $67,490 for full-time domestic students. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $404.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to set aside about $1,600 for books and supplies during their time at Chapman University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
At Chapman University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $21,170. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $15,088, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $11,910.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 67,490 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,170 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,600 |
| Total Expense | $ 90,260 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Chapman University.
According to the most recent data, 1,040 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $45,452.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 3,595 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 3,953. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $10,514,740, and state $9,827,546. The students of Chapman University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $162,262,098, and external in the amount of $2,668,723.
$22,148
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 3,067 students overall (including freshmen) at Chapman University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 878 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $16,091,407. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $126,820 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Chapman University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,256 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 663 men and 593 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Chapman University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Chapman University.
Its campus spans 90 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 100 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 23 and female students 32. Interested in media and communication? Chapman University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Chapman University has a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Chapman University.
All in all, campus life at Chapman University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Chapman University.
Career Counselling
At Chapman University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
FAQ
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Chapman University is located in Orange, CA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Chapman University is 67,490 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Chapman University is 65%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Chapman University is 91.81%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
