Chapman vs. Emerson

Chapman University and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Chapman University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 65.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Chapman. Average net price is $47,902 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Chapman 72% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Chapman $54,100 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Chapman University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Chapman65.4%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Chapman higher
Chapman1260-1440
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Chapman $5,530 less
Chapman$47,902
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $7,928 less
Chapman$64,984
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $7,928 less
Chapman$64,984
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +9 pts
Chapman72%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Chapman +$4,900
Chapman$54,100
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Chapman 15,634
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Chapman 10,230
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Chapman 65.4%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Chapman 15.9%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chapman 1350
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chapman 29
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Chapman 3.7
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Chapman A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Chapman Very High
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Chapman Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Chapman 1260-1440
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Chapman 28-31
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Chapman Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Chapman Jan 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Chapman $17,814
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Chapman $47,902
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Chapman $35,434
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Chapman 88%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Chapman 72%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Chapman $54,100
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Chapman 65%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Chapman $20,938
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Chapman $216
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Chapman 12:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Chapman
    • Visual and Performing Arts (27%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Chapman Orange, CA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Chapman Midsize City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Chapman 9,760
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Chapman Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Chapman #103
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

Compare Chapman University in Orange, CA with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Chapman University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 14.8% lower than at Emerson College ($17,814 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Chapman than at Emerson College (about $7,928 more per year; $64,984 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at Emerson College (88% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,434 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emerson than at Chapman (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Chapman and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Chapman (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $2,562 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($20,938 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($216 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 65%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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