By Choosing the right university is huge. If you’re checking out Chapman University, you’re probably wondering what makes this Orange, California campus special. Let’s break down everything about Chapman, from student life to costs and what actually matters.
•• What Makes Chapman University Stand Out?
Chapman University isn’t your typical California school. Founded back in 1861, this private university has grown into something pretty cool. The campus has just over 7,700 undergraduates, so you won’t get lost in a sea of 40,000 students.
“Location perks:”
– Orange, California (35 miles south of LA)
– 15 miles from the beach
– Southern California vibe without overwhelming LA chaos
– Access to hiking, parks, and outdoor activities
The 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name. That’s rare these days.
•• Chapman University Student Population: Who Goes Here?
Chapman’s student body is diverse and engaged. Here’s the snapshot:
“Total enrollment: 9,760 students”
– 7,713 undergraduates
– 2,047 graduate students
– Students from all 50 states and 76 countries
“Diversity breakdown:”
– 40% identify as Persons of Color
– 21% are first-generation college students
– 39:61 male-to-female ratio
– 190 student organizations on campus
“Campus living:”
– 87% of first years live on campus
– 83% of second years stay on campus
– Strong sense of community
About 33% of students study abroad. That’s higher than most schools.
•• Chapman University Cost of Attendance: Let’s Talk Money
Yeah, Chapman is expensive. But let’s look at the real numbers.
- •• Sticker Price (2025-2026)
– “Tuition and fees”: $67,490
– “Room and board”: $20,454
– “Books and supplies”: $1,600
– “Other expenses”: $3,700
– “Total”: $93,996 per year
••• What You’ll Actually Pay
Here’s the important part. Most students don’t pay that full price.
“Average financial aid package”: $34,600 in grants and scholarships (money you don’t pay back)
“Average net price after aid”: Around $48,000
••• Cost by Family Income (2023-2024)
– “$0 to $30,000”: Average $37,985
– “$30,001 to $48,000”: Average $40,713
– “$48,001 to $75,000”: Average $39,414
– “$75,001 to $110,000”: Average $42,194
– “$110,001+”: Average $54,519
Bottom line: Don’t let the sticker price scare you. Fill out your FAFSA and see what aid you qualify for.
•• What Can You Study at Chapman?
Chapman offers tons of options:
– 65 bachelor’s programs
– 57 minors
– 53 master’s programs
– 6 doctoral programs
••• Most Popular Majors
“Top programs students choose:”
- Business administration (22.5%)
- Cinematography and film (9.4%)
- Psychology (6.5%)
- Health services administration (5.4%)
- Business communications (5.3%)
- Speech communication (4.5%)
- Political science (3.5%)
- Education (3%)
- Computer science (2.4%)
••• Why Psychology Students Love Chapman
Chapman’s psychology program focuses on real-world application, not just theory. You get:
– Small class sizes (that 12:1 ratio again)
– Research opportunities as an undergrad
– Professors who mentor you personally
– Preparation for grad school, clinical work, or business applications
The psychology professional field here prepares you for actual careers, not just memorizing textbooks.
•• Chapman’s Top Schools and Programs
••• Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
This is Chapman’s superstar program.
“Why it’s special:”
– Ranked •4 among top American film schools (The Hollywood Reporter)
– Industry-standard equipment from day one
– Direct connections to Hollywood
– Alumni working at major studios and streaming services
If you want to make films, this is serious.
••• Argyros School of Business and Economics
“Business program highlights:”
– Ranked •66 for full-time MBA programs nationally
– Focus on entrepreneurship and ethical leadership
– Real business challenges, not just case studies
– Strong Orange County business connections
••• Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
“Nationally ranked programs:”
– Physician Assistant program: •58 nationally
– Physical Therapy doctorate: •93 nationally
– Speech-Language Pathology: •105 nationally
– High pass rates on licensing exams
••• Other Strong Programs
– Law School: •104 nationally
– School of Pharmacy: •80 nationally
– Education programs with hands-on teaching experience
•• How Chapman Compares to Other Schools
••• Chapman vs Santa Clara University
“Santa Clara:”
– Acceptance rate: 52% (more selective)
– Location: Silicon Valley (strong tech connections)
– Similar size and cost
“Chapman:”
– Acceptance rate: 65% (slightly easier to get in)
– Location: Orange County (entertainment industry access)
– Better for film, business, warmer weather
“Choose Santa Clara if you want tech and engineering. “Choose Chapman if” you want film, entertainment, or business with beach access.
••• Chapman vs Georgetown University
“Georgetown (private university):”
– Acceptance rate: 12% (way more selective)
– Ranked in top 25 nationally
– Washington D.C. location
– Amazing for government and international relations
“Chapman:”
– Acceptance rate: 65% (much easier to get in)
– Ranked •110 nationally
– Southern California location
– Better for film, smaller classes, potentially better aid
“Be realistic:” Georgetown is more prestigious but way harder to get into. Chapman offers great education without impossible admission standards.
••• Chapman vs Seattle University
“Seattle University:”
– Acceptance rate: 85% (less selective)
– Smaller campus (4,400 undergrads)
– Jesuit values focus
– Pacific Northwest location
“Chapman:”
– Acceptance rate: 65% (more selective)
– Larger campus (7,700 undergrads)
– More program variety
– Southern California advantages
“Choose Seattle University if” you want a Jesuit education or prefer rain over sunshine. “Choose Chapman if” you want more programs and better weather.
•• Can You Get Into Chapman?
••• Chapman University Acceptance Rate
“65% acceptance rate” means about two out of three applicants get in. It’s moderately selective. You need solid grades, but it’s not impossible.
Recent stats:
– 15,625 students applied
– About 10,156 got accepted
– Only 15% of admitted students enrolled
That last number tells you something important. Chapman is often a safety or target school for students applying to more selective places.
••• What Test Scores Do You Need?
Chapman is test-optional, but if you submit scores, here’s the middle 50%:
“SAT:”
– Evidence-Based Reading/Writing: 680
– Math: 670
“ACT:”
– Composite: 30
– English: 32
– Math: 27
If your scores are in or above these ranges, you’re competitive. Below doesn’t mean automatic rejection if your GPA and essays are strong.
••• Chapman EA Decision Date
Chapman offers Early Action with decisions typically in mid to late January.
“Early Action benefits:”
– Non-binding (you can apply early without committing)
– Get your decision sooner
– Shows demonstrated interest
– More time to compare financial aid packages
Apply EA if Chapman is high on your list. There’s no downside since it’s not binding.
•• Rankings and Reputation
“Chapman’s rankings:”
– •110 in National Universities (U.S. News, top 15% of schools)
– •73 in Best Colleges for Veterans
– •4 film school nationally (The Hollywood Reporter)
– Listed in Princeton Review’s “390 Best Colleges”
Are rankings everything? No. But they show Chapman is legit. Employers and grad schools recognize it.
•• Campus Life in Orange, California
“Location advantages:”
– Historic Old Town District with character
– 35 miles from Los Angeles (close but not too close)
– 15 miles from beaches
– Mild weather year-round (real winter doesn’t exist here)
– Access to hiking, parks, and outdoor activities
You can access LA for internships and entertainment, hit the beach on weekends, but live in a calmer college town environment.
•• Life After Chapman: Alumni Success
Chapman has 50,000+ alumni worldwide. That network helps with jobs and mentorship.
“Famous Chapman grads:”
– Matt and Ross Duffer (created Stranger Things)
– Leslie Jones (SNL comedian)
– Colin Hanks (actor)
– Jodie Sweetin (Full House)
– Justin Simien (director, Dear White People)
Film and entertainment alumni are especially strong, but grads work in business, politics, healthcare, and everything else too.
•• The Scholar Experience
Being a scholar at Chapman means opportunities beyond classes:
“Research opportunities:”
– Work directly with faculty on projects
– Grants and funding for student research
– Present at research symposiums
– Get published as an undergrad
“Internships:”
– The LA entertainment industry is nearby
– Orange County business and healthcare
– University connections help you find positions
– Real experience before graduation
“Study abroad:”
– Programs in 76 countries
– 33% of students study abroad
– Financial aid often applies
•• Is Chapman Right for You?
••• Consider Chapman if you want:
– Smaller classes with personal attention
– Film, media, or entertainment industry access
– Diverse, active campus community
– Southern California weather and beaches
– Selective but not impossible admissions
– Beautiful historic campus
••• Look elsewhere if you need:
– Huge state school with massive sports culture
– Major city location (Orange is suburban)
– Lowest possible tuition
– Top 50 name recognition
– Programs Chapman doesn’t offer
•• Frequently Asked Questions
••• What is the Chapman University student population?
Chapman has 9,760 total students: 7,713 undergrads and 2,047 grad students. Students come from all 50 states and 76 countries, with 40% identifying as Persons of Color and 21% being first-generation college students.
••• How much does Chapman University really cost?
Sticker price is $93,996/year, but most students pay less. The average net price after financial aid is around $48,000. For families earning under $30,000, the average net price drops to $37,985. Fill out FAFSA to see your actual cost.
••• What is Chapman University’s acceptance rate?
65% acceptance rate. Chapman accepts about two out of every three applicants, making it moderately selective. Solid grades and test scores help, but it’s achievable for good students.
••• When is the Chapman EA decision date?
Mid to late January. Early Action is non-binding, so you can apply early, get your decision sooner, but you’re not forced to attend. It shows interest and gives you more time to compare aid packages.
••• How does Chapman compare to Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara has a lower acceptance rate (52%), is in Silicon Valley with strong tech connections. Chapman has 65% acceptance rate, is in Orange County, with the entertainment industry. Santa Clara for tech, Chapman for film and business.
••• Is Chapman University better than Seattle University?
Depends on what you want. Chapman has more programs and a stronger film/business. Seattle University is smaller, emphasizes Jesuit values, and has 85% acceptance rate. Chapman is more selective and offers more variety.
••• What makes Chapman’s psychology program special?
Small classes, direct faculty access, undergraduate research opportunities, and practical professional field preparation. You’ll learn theory but also how to apply psychology in real careers like business, healthcare, or clinical work.
••• Can I afford Chapman if my family doesn’t make much money?
Possibly. Chapman provides substantial aid. Families earning $0 to $30,000 paid an average $37,985 after aid. Families earning $30,001 to $48,000 paid an average of $40,713. Apply and see what aid you qualify for.
••• Is Georgetown University much better than Chapman?
Georgetown is more selective (12% vs 65% acceptance) and ranks higher (top 25 vs •110). Better for government and international relations. Chapman offers smaller classes, excellent film programs that Georgetown lacks, and Southern California advantages. Depends on your goals.
••• What does being a scholar at Chapman mean?
Scholars engage in academic research, honors programs, or specific scholarship programs. You can work with faculty on research, receive grants, present at symposiums, and get published as an undergrad.
••• What does the dean of education do at Chapman?
Each Chapman school has a dean providing academic leadership. The Attallah College of Educational Studies dean oversees education programs, faculty, curriculum, and teacher preparation quality.
••• Are there good internships near Chapman?
Yes. Orange County location provides access to LA entertainment internships, Orange County business and healthcare opportunities, and Southern California tech positions. The university has connections to help students find relevant internships.
•• Final Thoughts
Chapman offers quality private university education without impossible admission standards. You get personal attention, Southern California opportunities, and a real campus community.
“Action steps:”
- Don’t let the cost scare you. Apply for financial aid.
- Visit campus if possible. Vibe matters.
- Apply Early Action if Chapman is high on your list.
- Compare aid packages from all schools you get into.
- Trust your gut about where you’ll actually thrive.
The “best” university is where you’ll succeed academically and personally. Chapman might be the place for you. Do your research and make the choice that fits your goals.
Good luck with your college search. You’ve got this.