UCSD vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Chapman University in Orange, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UCSD vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Chapman? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than Chapman ($14,047 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 6.1% lower than at University of California San Diego ($17,814 vs. $18,970).
• Chapman University is 287.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $48,226 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.5% higher at Chapman than at University of California San Diego (about $14,026 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California San Diego (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 37.6% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($35,434 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Chapman? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Chapman and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 30 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UCSD vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Chapman? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $2,438 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($18,500 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($191 vs. $216).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.