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#10 Best Private Colleges in California

Chapman Admission Requirements

Orange, California

 6 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Chapman University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

72.5%
Admission Difficulty for Chapman University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Chapman is 72.5%.  Its admission rate is the 53rd lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Chapman and can you get accepted?

Chapman is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 9,928 out of the 13,690 who applied were admitted.

Chapman University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Chapman?

73% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Chapman University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1300 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Chapman GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Chapman University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Chapman are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Chapman accepts 73% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Chapman is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #28 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Chapman is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Chapman SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Chapman University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1200-1400

Applicants Submitting SAT 

25%
SAT Scores for Chapman University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 600
Composite 25th Percentile 1200
SAT Scores for Chapman University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 700
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1400
Average SAT Score 1300

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Chapman University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Chapman is 1300 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1200-1400. Students who get into Chapman University score in the top 24 percent of all SAT test takers..  Chapman ranks #23 in the state of California and #184 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1300 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Chapman regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1200 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1200, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1100, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Chapman University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1300, you have around a 73% chance of being admitted. A 1400 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 84% chance of getting in.

Chapman University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1400 and Above Good >84%
1300 to 1400 Avg + 73%-84%
1200 to 1300 Avg - 59%-73%
1100 to 1200 Reach 43%-59%
Less than 1100 Low <43%
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Chapman ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

12%
ACT Scores for Chapman University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 26
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for Chapman University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Chapman?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Chapman is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31.  The school ranks #26 in California and #195 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

12 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Chapman University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Chapman University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Chapman for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 73% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 31 ACT score.

Chapman University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >85%
28 to 31 Avg + 73%-85%
26 to 28 Avg - 62%-73%
24 to 26 Reach 49%-62%
Less than 24 Low <49%
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High School Class Rank

63% of Chapman University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 26% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Chapman University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 26%
Top 25% of class 63%
Top 50% of class 87%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Chapman University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,635 5,055 13,690
Accepted 6,436 3,492 9,928
Acceptance Rate 75% 69% 73%
Enrolled 1,340 736 2,076
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 21% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

55

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Chapman University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Chapman University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Chapman University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Chapman University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Chapman is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1300 on the SAT and 28 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Chapman University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=111948 IPEDS survey data for Chapman University.

Last updated February 24, 2024