Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Orange, California |
| Online | chapman.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Religious Affiliation | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Chapman University occupies a historic campus in the heart of Old Towne Orange, California, located 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The private university, founded in 1861 as Hesperian College, features a mix of restored historic buildings and modern facilities across its 90-acre campus, including the distinctive Romanesque Revival-style Memorial Hall. The institution is known for its film and media arts programs through the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, along with strong offerings in business, performing arts, and health sciences. Chapman maintains a selective admission process and operates primarily as a residential campus, with most first-year students living in on-campus housing. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Chapman Panthers, with notable programs in baseball and men's water polo.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Chapman is rated within the top 20% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Chapman University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#97 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#86 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Colleges in California
#10 in Best Private Colleges in California
#403 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#30 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1250/1430 |
| ACT | 28/32 |
| GPA | 3.7 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,600 |
| Other Fees | $384 |
| Room and Board | $17,378 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,318 |
| Total One Year Cost | $85,080 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts | 27% |
| Business | 24% |
| Communication | 18% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Social Sciences | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Chapman are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=111948 IPEDS survey data for Chapman University.
Current students may use the Chapman University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025