Chapman vs. RPI

Deciding between Chapman University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Chapman University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Chapman Orange, CA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Chapman Midsize City
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Chapman 9,760
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Chapman Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Chapman #103
  • RPI #130
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Chapman Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • RPI -
  • Status
  • Chapman Non-profit
  • RPI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Chapman
  • RPI

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & Board
  • Chapman $17,814
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Chapman $47,902
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Chapman $35,434
  • RPI $43,517
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Chapman 88%
  • RPI 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Chapman 15,634
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Chapman 10,230
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Chapman 65.4%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Chapman 15.9%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chapman 1350
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chapman 29
  • RPI 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Chapman 3.7
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Chapman A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Chapman Very High
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Chapman Low
  • RPI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Chapman 28/31
  • RPI 30/34
  • SAT Range
  • Chapman 1260/1440
  • RPI 1375/1510
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Chapman Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Chapman Jan 15, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Chapman 12:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Chapman
    • Visual and Performing Arts (27%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Chapman 72%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Chapman $54,100
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Chapman 65%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Chapman $20,938
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Chapman $216
  • RPI $284

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Chapman 39%
  • RPI 69%
  • % Women
  • Chapman 61%
  • RPI 31%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Chapman High
  • RPI High
  • HBCU
  • Chapman No
  • RPI No
  • % White
  • Chapman 58%
  • RPI 59%
  • % Asian
  • Chapman 10%
  • RPI 10%
  • % Black
  • Chapman 1%
  • RPI 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Chapman 14%
  • RPI 8%
  • % Native American
  • Chapman 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Chapman 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Chapman 6%
  • RPI 7%
  • % International
  • Chapman 4%
  • RPI 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Chapman 4%
  • RPI 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Chapman 61%
  • RPI 37%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Chapman 35%
  • RPI 58%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Chapman Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Chapman No
  • RPI Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Chapman Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Chapman No
  • RPI No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Chapman No
  • RPI No

Comparable Facts

Compare Chapman University in Orange, CA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chapman University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Chapman vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman or RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Chapman ($38,887 vs. $47,902).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 1.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,814 vs. $18,120).
  • Chapman University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $903 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $64,081.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Chapman than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $903 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $64,081.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Chapman University (95% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($43,517 vs. $35,434).

Chapman vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 90 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
  • Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Chapman).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Chapman (3.7).
  • Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than RPI (63.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Chapman vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman and RPI? 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).

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $6,562 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($20,938 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($216 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.