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Chapman University

Private

Orange, CA

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Chapman University is a private mid-sized school in Orange, CA, enrolling about 7,478 undergraduates. Chapman University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 65%. Among reported majors, Computer Science shows the strongest outcomes -- $112,780/year in median earnings four years after graduation. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate65%
SAT range1260–1440
ACT range28–31
Undergrads7,478
Yield (admits who enroll)21%
Next deadlineNot reported

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$83,146
4-year grad rate81%
Median earnings, 10yr out$70,070

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Chapman University weighs your application

From Chapman University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans60%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out68%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$64,461/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$102,147/yr
Business/Managerial Economics$84,978/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$84,378/yr
Business/Corporate Communications$76,412/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$80,139/yr
Journalism$79,135/yr
Communication and Media Studies$73,461/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$112,780/yr
Education
Education, General$64,917/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$58,055/yr
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$44,183/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Public Health$72,529/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$75,108/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$63,617/yr
Social Sciences
Political Science and Government$68,856/yr
Sociology$62,047/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$78,121/yr
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$66,494/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$51,611/yr
Dance$50,612/yr
Music$41,698/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity3,714
Typical room charge$11,362
Typical board charge$5,592

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Chapman University look for in applicants?

Per Chapman University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates application essay, character/personal qualities, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Chapman University's acceptance rate?

Chapman University in Orange, CA admits approximately 65% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Chapman University?

Admitted students at Chapman University typically score between 1260–1440 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Chapman University?

Admitted students at Chapman University typically score between 28–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Chapman University cost?

Chapman University's total cost of attendance is reported at $83,146 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Does Chapman University require students to live on campus?

No -- Chapman University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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