Chapman vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

Chapman University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 9,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

Chapman vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman or USD? 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 University of San Diego than Chapman ($37,918 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 10.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($17,814 vs. $19,918).
• Chapman University is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $5,498 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Chapman than at University of San Diego (about $5,498 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of San Diego (88% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($40,965 vs. $35,434).

Chapman vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 12.4% at USD.

Chapman vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman and USD? 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).

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $1,966 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,938 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($216 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.