UC Berkeley vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Chapman University 12:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Chapman? 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 California Berkeley than Chapman ($16,538 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 25% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($17,814 vs. $23,750).
• Chapman University is 297.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $48,637 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at Chapman than at University of California Berkeley (about $14,437 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at University of California Berkeley (88% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 19.7% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($35,434 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 70 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming UC Berkeley 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: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

UC Berkeley vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Chapman? 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 California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Chapman graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $6,738 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($14,200 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($146 vs. $216).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.