Orange, CA
Chapman University is a private nonprofit institution located in Orange, California, a midsize city. The university enrolls approximately 7,478 undergraduate students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.
Chapman University admits 65.4% of applicants, indicating moderate selectivity where most qualified candidates gain admission. An applicant's acceptance likelihood depends substantially on meeting the institution's academic and personal criteria.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 5,852 | 3,166 | 54.1% | 664 |
| Women | 10,062 | 5,683 | 56.5% | 1,142 |
Chapman University admits 65.4% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Chapman University's cost of attendance is $87,730, while the average net price students pay is $46,555, meaning most students pay significantly less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $217.
After aid, Chapman University costs $46,555 a year — about 106% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Chapman University has a graduation rate of 81.1%. Graduates earn a median of $58,080 six years after entry and $70,070 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management,... | 414 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production | 184 |
| Psychology, General | 151 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 84 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health... | 80 |
| Computer Science | 74 |
| Business/Corporate Communications, General | 71 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 62 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | 48 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 46 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Chapman University are $67,467, and 73% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Chapman University students earn $58,080 — 28% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Chapman University in Orange, CA enrolls 7,478 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The student body includes 61.5% women, 19.4% Pell grant recipients, and 17.9% first-generation students.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
589 of 7,323 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 7,874 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
Chapman University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Chapman University is in Orange, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a midsize city setting. The campus sits about 0.7 miles from the center of Orange. There are 34 other colleges within 25 miles, and Irvine, CA is 9.2 miles away.
Orange County scores 13.3 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 7.9% of Orange's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Chapman University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Chapman University reported 4 arrests and 37 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Chapman University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Chapman University has an acceptance rate of 65.4%. In the most recent admission cycle, the university received 15,914 applications, admitted 8,849 students, and enrolled 1,806 first-year students.
The total cost of attendance at Chapman University is $87,730 annually. Tuition and fees are $64,984 per year. However, the average net price after financial aid is $46,555, making it more affordable for many students.
Chapman awards financial aid to eligible students, with an average net price of $46,555. About 19.4% of undergraduates receive Pell grants, and 60.3% borrow federal loans. The median federal debt at graduation is $20,500.
Chapman University has an 81.1% graduation rate. The university also reports a three-year federal loan repayment rate of 67.6%, indicating students' ability to manage their debt after graduation.
Median earnings for Chapman graduates are $58,080 at six years after entry and $70,070 at ten years after entry. These figures reflect career outcomes across Chapman's undergraduate population.
Chapman University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, providing relatively small classes and opportunities for student-faculty interaction. The university enrolls 7,478 undergraduates across its midsize city campus in Orange, California.
Yes, Chapman does admit students from the waitlist. In the recent admission cycle, 1,900 applicants were offered waitlist positions, and 523 of those waitlisted students were ultimately admitted.
Women comprise 61.5% of Chapman's undergraduate enrollment. First-generation students make up 17.9% of the student body, and 19.4% of undergraduates receive Pell grants.
Chapman University is located in Orange, California, a midsize city in Orange County. The private nonprofit institution serves 7,478 undergraduates on its campus.
The median federal debt at graduation for Chapman students is $20,500. About 60.3% of undergraduates borrow federal loans to help finance their education, with a three-year repayment rate of 67.6%.