Chapman vs. Emerson

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 table 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.

Chapman vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman or Emerson? 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 Chapman University than Emerson ($47,902 vs. $53,432).
• 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).
• Chapman University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $7,928 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Chapman than at Emerson College (about $7,928 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• 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).

Chapman vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chapman or Emerson? 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 Emerson and Chapman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is the same as at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Chapman vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman and Emerson? 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.