Chapman University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Chapman University is a private research university in Orange, California, serving roughly 7,478 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 65.43% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $70,070 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $64,984
- 2024 Average Net Price: $46,555 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 65.43% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,478 96.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 81.88%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 17.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 7.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1357
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,046
- Applicants (IPEDS): 15,914
- Room & Board: $17,814 annual estimate
Chapman University: what the data shows
Common questions about Chapman University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Chapman University?
Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (ZIP 92866).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Chapman University public or private?
Chapman University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Chapman University cost?
Published tuition: $64,984.
Average net price after aid: $46,555.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $33,559 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $33,978 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $33,709 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $40,011 |
| $110,001+ | $55,066 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $259,936.
How hard is it to get into Chapman University?
Admission rate: 65.43%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1357 and midpoint ACT 29.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Chapman University?
Total enrollment: 7,478 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,046 students.
Graduate enrollment: 2,047 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Chapman University?
150%-time completion rate: 81.88%.
First-year retention: 91.8%.
What do graduates of Chapman University earn?
Median earnings: $58,080 six years after entry; $70,070 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,500.
19.39% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Chapman University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (439 completions)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production (274 completions)
- Psychology, General (162 completions)
- Law (145 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (84 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (80 completions)
- Playwriting and Screenwriting (79 completions)
- Business/Corporate Communications, General (78 completions)
- Computer Science (77 completions)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (73 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Chapman University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 65.43%; completion rate 81.88%; median earnings $70,070 at 10 years; net price $46,555. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$64,984
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Chapman University was $64,984.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$46,555
2024 Value
In 2024 Chapman University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $46,555.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$186,220 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$46,555 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$259,936 4-Year Tuition
$17,814 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,600 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$84,398 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$337,592 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Chapman University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.39% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
60.34% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Chapman University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Chapman University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $43,573 | $43,573 | $33,821 |
| 2014 | $45,393 | $45,393 | $35,602 |
| 2015 | $47,260 | $47,260 | $36,367 |
| 2016 | $48,710 | $48,710 | $40,769 |
| 2017 | $50,594 | $50,594 | $39,228 |
| 2018 | $52,724 | $52,724 | $40,251 |
| 2019 | $54,924 | $54,924 | $41,350 |
| 2020 | $57,214 | $57,214 | $44,198 |
| 2021 | $58,634 | $58,634 | $39,047 |
| 2022 | $60,672 | $60,672 | $44,342 |
| 2023 | $62,784 | $62,784 | $47,527 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
65.43% Acceptance Rate
15,914 Total Applicants
8,849 Students Admitted
1,806 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.41% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1357
ACT Average: 29
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Chapman University reported total enrollment of about 7,478 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (46.9%), Hispanic or Latino (19.9%), and Asian (16.3%). About 19.39% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 17.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Chapman University in 2024 is 7,478 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 8,046 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,047 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
91.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 46.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
71.17% 100% Completion Time
81.88% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 71.17% of students graduating from Chapman University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 55% male / 45% female
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 45% male / 55% female
- Psychology, General: 23% male / 77% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Chapman University.
Return on Investment
$20,500 Median Student Debt
$70,070 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
29.26% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
276.28% Return on Investment
2.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Chapman University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 78 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 439 completions
2. Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 274 completions
3. Psychology, General: 162 completions
4. Law: 145 completions
5. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 84 completions
6. Health Professions and Related Programs: 80 completions
7. Playwriting and Screenwriting: 79 completions
8. Business/Corporate Communications, General: 78 completions
9. Computer Science: 77 completions
Most popular programs at Chapman University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Chapman University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Chapman University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,611
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $21,557
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Chapman University is a private non-profit institution located in Orange, CA, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 7,478 students. Student body composition includes White (46.9%), Hispanic or Latino (19.9%), Asian (16.3%). The admission rate is 65.43%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1357. The 150%-time completion rate is 81.88%. Approximately 19.39% of students receive Pell Grants. About 17.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Orange, CA 92866
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 81.88% graduation rate, Chapman University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 78 distinct degree programs, Chapman University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chapman University located?
Chapman University is located in Orange, CA.
What is Chapman University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Chapman University is 65.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 15,914 applicants and 8,849 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Chapman University cost?
Reported tuition is $64,984 and average net price is $46,555 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,814 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Chapman University?
Chapman University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 8,046 students, White (46.9%), Hispanic or Latino (19.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Chapman University?
About 17.9% of students at Chapman University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Chapman University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Chapman University reports midpoint SAT about 1357 and midpoint ACT about 29.
What do graduates of Chapman University earn?
Median earnings are $58,080 six years after entry and $70,070 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Chapman University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 81.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Chapman University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,500.
Is Chapman University public or private?
Chapman University is a private nonprofit institution located in Orange, CA.
Is Chapman University an HBCU?
No. Chapman University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Chapman University a tribal college?
No. Chapman University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Orange, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.