Chapman University
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Orange, CA
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4.3 6 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
9,760- Location Orange, California
- Website chapman.edu
- Type Private 4 Year
- Setting Midsize City
- Religious Affiliation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Best Colleges Rank
#103- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- 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
Chapman is rated within the top 20% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.
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Overall Rating8 out of 10
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Academics9 out of 10
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Resources9 out of 10
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Outcomes9 out of 10
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Value6 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Chapman University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1260/1440
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 28/31
- GPA 3.7
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 15.9%
- Application Fee $70
Applicant Competition Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
$64,984Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Chapman University are Visual and Performing Arts, Business, and Communication. 27% of students major in Visual and Performing Arts, 24% in Business, and 18% in Communication.
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Visual and Performing Arts 27%
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Business 24%
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Communication 18%
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Psychology 7%
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Social Sciences 5%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Chapman University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=111948.
GPA calculator: Chapman University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026