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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.
Chapman University is a private university located in Orange, CA. 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%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is February 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Chapman University.
Quick Facts
7,713
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$67,490
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
82%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to Chapman University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,230 in 2025. Chapman University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration 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. This renowned school with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
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 overall number of those who submitted test scores. 31.96% of the enrolled students 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% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen 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 new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 672 and an average SAT Math score of 667.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to this school is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is February 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Chapman University was 91.81%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 82%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Chapman University in 2025 was 9,760.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 33.36. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,713, 218 of which were international students. 293 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,360 male and 5,531 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 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, while the number of Black American students was 167. 1,486 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 667 as multirace. 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
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some important facts on Chapman University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Chapman University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $67,490 in 2025. Since Chapman University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $404 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. Most students have to allocate about $1,600 for books and supplies during their time at Chapman University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Chapman University was $21,170 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $15,088 for one academic year. 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
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Chapman University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,040 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $45,452 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as 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 ended up being 3,953. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added 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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-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.
3,067 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school 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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Chapman University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,256 faculty members. This number included 663 men and 593 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at Chapman University.
Its campus is 90 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
This school has 100 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 23 percent of male and 32 of female students take part in in different organizations at Chapman University. Interested in media and communication? Chapman University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Chapman University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
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 has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Chapman University is 65%.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.