Chapman Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Orange, CA
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Chapman Admission Overview
Chapman admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Chapman admitted 65.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-) and SAT 1260-1440 / ACT 28-31. Chapman is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Chapman is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Chapman Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Chapman University
Acceptance Rate
The Chapman acceptance rate is 65.4%. Last year, 10,230 of 15,634 applicants were admitted. That is the 44th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Chapman University typically 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. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Chapman GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.7Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Chapman typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Chapman is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #28 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Chapman Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Chapman University is test-optional for first-year applicants. You choose on the Common Application whether Chapman should review SAT or ACT scores, and you can change that choice in your Application Status Page before November 30 for Early Action or Early Decision or January 30 for Regular Decision. If you send scores, you may self-report them; official reports are required only after you enroll. Chapman superscores the SAT and the ACT and does not require the ACT science section. Applicants who omit scores are still reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.chapman.edu/admission/undergraduate/how-to-apply/test-optional.aspx
Chapman SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1260-1440Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
14%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 630
- Math 630
- Composite 1260
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 720
- Math 720
- Composite 1440
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Chapman typically score around a 1350 SAT (middle 50% 1260–1440) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 92nd percentile nationally. Chapman ranks #16 in the state of California and #137 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1260 to 1440
SAT policy
Chapman is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1350 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Chapman ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
28-31Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
5%25th Percentile Scores
- English 28
- Math 25
- Composite 28
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 29
- Composite 31
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Chapman typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 28–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Chapman places #22 among colleges in California and #167 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 31
ACT policy
You may apply to Chapman without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Chapman chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Chapman University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Chapman University is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Chapman is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 65.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1260-1440); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Chapman University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=111948.
GPA calculator: Chapman University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026