Chapman University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Chapman University is a private institution located in Orange, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Chapman University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1350 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $46,555 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Chapman University?

Chapman University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What does Chapman University weight in admissions?

Chapman University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Chapman University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 655. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–31. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Chapman University actually cost?

Published tuition is $64,984 for in-state students and $64,984 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,814 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $46,555 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Chapman University

Will my child graduate from Chapman University?

These predict outcomes at Chapman University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Chapman University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Chapman University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Film/Video and Photographic Arts and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Chapman University confers roughly 1,332 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $98,104 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Chapman University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Chapman University disclosed 29 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 8 violent offenses and 6 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Chapman University?

About 52% of undergraduates at Chapman University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 24% of men join a fraternity and 30% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in California parents ask about

• Saint Mary's College of California
  87% acceptance
• California State University-Chico
  93% acceptance
• Sonoma State University
  93% acceptance
• California State University-East Bay
  97% acceptance
• California State University-San Bernardino
  94% acceptance
• California State University-Dominguez Hills
  93% acceptance
• California State University-Stanislaus
  98% acceptance
• California State University-Bakersfield
  94% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Chapman University