Chapman vs. SCU

Deciding between Chapman University and Santa Clara University? 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
Santa Clara University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Chapman Orange, CA
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Setting
  • Chapman Midsize City
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Chapman 9,760
  • SCU 9,728
  • Type
  • Chapman Private 4 Year
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Chapman #103
  • SCU #61
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Chapman Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • SCU Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Chapman Non-profit
  • SCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Chapman
  • SCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • SCU $61,293
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • SCU $61,293
  • Room & Board
  • Chapman $17,814
  • SCU $19,893
  • Average Net Price
  • Chapman $47,902
  • SCU $53,883
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Chapman $35,434
  • SCU $28,368
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Chapman 88%
  • SCU 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Chapman 15,634
  • SCU 18,970
  • Admitted
  • Chapman 10,230
  • SCU 9,105
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Chapman 65.4%
  • SCU 48%
  • Enrolled
  • Chapman 15.9%
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chapman 1350
  • SCU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chapman 29
  • SCU 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Chapman 3.7
  • SCU 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Chapman A-
  • SCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Chapman Very High
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Chapman Low
  • SCU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Chapman 28/31
  • SCU 31/33
  • SAT Range
  • Chapman 1260/1440
  • SCU 1350/1490
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Chapman Test optional
  • SCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Chapman Jan 15, 2027
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Chapman 12:1
  • SCU 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Chapman
    • Visual and Performing Arts (27%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Chapman 72%
  • SCU 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Chapman $54,100
  • SCU $81,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Chapman 65%
  • SCU 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Chapman $20,938
  • SCU $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Chapman $216
  • SCU $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Chapman 39%
  • SCU 49%
  • % Women
  • Chapman 61%
  • SCU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Chapman High
  • SCU High
  • HBCU
  • Chapman No
  • SCU No
  • % White
  • Chapman 58%
  • SCU 49%
  • % Asian
  • Chapman 10%
  • SCU 16%
  • % Black
  • Chapman 1%
  • SCU 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Chapman 14%
  • SCU 17%
  • % Native American
  • Chapman 0%
  • SCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Chapman 0%
  • SCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Chapman 6%
  • SCU 7%
  • % International
  • Chapman 4%
  • SCU 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Chapman 4%
  • SCU 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Chapman 61%
  • SCU 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Chapman 35%
  • SCU 36%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Chapman University in Orange, CA with Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chapman University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Chapman vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman or SCU? 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 SCU ($47,902 vs. $53,883).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 10.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($17,814 vs. $19,893).
  • Chapman University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $3,691 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $61,293.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Chapman than at Santa Clara University (about $3,691 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $61,293.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at Santa Clara University (88% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($35,434 vs. $28,368).

Chapman vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 70 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
  • Incoming SCU 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; Santa Clara University 31/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Chapman students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SCU (3.67).
  • Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than SCU (48%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Chapman vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman and SCU? 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).

  • Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
  • Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $27,800 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $562 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($20,938 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($216 vs. $222).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.