Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private · Midsize city · Carnegie R1/R2

Private institution in Orange, CA · 7,629 undergraduates · 56% acceptance rate · $70,070 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Top 10%Graduation rate (4-year)
Top 13%Full-time retention
Top 13%Average SAT
Top 14%Median earnings, 10 years after entry

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $47,5271,968th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $62,7841,969th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $62,7841,969th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $81,3271,928th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $20,500685th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $70,070277th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $58,080283rd highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 80.4%210th highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 90.0%248th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 55.6%340th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: 1353135th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT: 29132nd highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates: 7,629331st largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 12.0:1794th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 19.7%1,734th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 34 mi (LAX)

On 2 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

EDNov 1
EANov 1
RDJan 15

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: $70
Personal essay: Required
Writing supplement: No

Supplemental prompts (2025-26)

There are thousands of universities and colleges. Why are you interested in attending Chapman? (200 words)

Source: Aristotle Circle 2025-26 supplemental prompt roundup

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 54 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
Computer Science	bachelors	$80,336	$69,338
Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness	bachelors	$64,379	$65,651
Business/Managerial EconomicsBusiness	bachelors	$62,260	$52,107
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness	bachelors	$55,167	$50,856
Design and Applied ArtsVisual & Performing Arts	bachelors	$48,432	$52,107
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCommunications	bachelors	$47,260	$45,767
Business/Corporate CommunicationsBusiness	bachelors	$43,899	$42,682
Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciences	bachelors	$38,721	$38,289
JournalismCommunications	bachelors	$38,289	$39,153
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsVisual & Performing Arts	bachelors	$37,671	$37,568
Communication and Media StudiesCommunications	bachelors	$37,640	$31,647
MathematicsMathematics & Statistics	bachelors	$37,208	$35,060

Campus facts

Religious affiliation: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)source
Founded in 1861source
Athletic nickname: "Panthers"source
Competes in NCAA Division IIIsource
Motto: "ὀ Χριστòς καì ἡ Ἐκκλησíα (Greek)"source
Formerly known as "Hesperian College" (1861–1896)source
Formerly known as "Pierce Christian College" (1874–1896)source
Formerly known as "Berkeley Bible Seminary" (1896–1912)source
Formerly known as "California Bible College" (1912–1920)source
Formerly known as "California School of Christianity" (1920–1923)source
Formerly known as "California Christian College (1918–1920, 1923–1934)"source
Formerly known as "Chapman College" (1934–1991)source
Notable alum: J. F. Lawton (Screenwriter (Pretty Woman))source
Notable alum: George Argyros (Ambassador and real-estate investor)source
Notable alum: Sabrina Bryan (Singer and actress (The Cheetah Girls))source

Athletics — 14 sports

NCAA Division III with football · NCAA Division III

Athletic scholarships not allowed · Athletic aid $0 (M $0 · W $0)

Baseball: 2019

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport. Athletic scholarships are not allowed by association rule; non-athletic merit or need-based aid may still be available.

Notable alumni

J. F. LawtonScreenwriter (Pretty Woman)
George ArgyrosAmbassador and real-estate investor
Sabrina BryanSinger and actress (The Cheetah Girls)attended

Illustrative alumni only — not exhaustive and not a quality ranking. Affiliation claims cite Wikipedia/Wikidata; confirm on primary bios before relying on them.