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Chapman University

#420 in US ranking Orange, CA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Chapman University award
Chapman University award

Cost

Cost / year
$85,323
Tuition & fees
$67,894
Avg. aid
$31,523
Receiving aid
90%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
65%
SAT range
1260–1440
ACT range
28–31

Outcomes

Graduation rate
82%
Median salary
$47,798
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Chapman University?

Chapman University holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, commonly called WSCUC. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it does not mean that every individual degree has a separate professional endorsement.

Some programs have accreditation relevant to their fields. For example, Chapman's Fowler School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association, its business programs hold AACSB accreditation, and its School of Pharmacy has accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Applicants to a licensed profession should verify the accreditation and state eligibility rules for the exact degree they intend to pursue.

Institutional accreditation is important to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when credits or degrees are evaluated elsewhere. It does not, by itself, guarantee that another college will accept a particular course or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Chapman University?

First-year applicants generally apply to Chapman with a secondary-school record, information about their coursework and activities, written application materials, and recommendations. Chapman is not an open-admission institution: in the reported admissions cycle, it admitted about 65% of its 15,634 first-year applicants.

Chapman accepts the Common Application for undergraduate admission. Its admissions review considers academic performance and preparation, and some majors request additional material such as a creative portfolio or audition. Applicants should follow the instructions for their entry term and program, particularly if they are considering an early application round.

Reported admissions data treat SAT and ACT scores as considered rather than required. Among enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, the reported median SAT composite was 1310 and the median ACT composite was 29; relatively few enrolled students submitted either test. Those medians describe score submitters, not a minimum for admission. Applicants educated primarily in a language other than English may also need to document English proficiency under Chapman's current international-admission rules.

What are the application fees and waivers at Chapman University?

Chapman's reported standard undergraduate application fee is $70. An application fee is paid to have an application reviewed; it is separate from any enrollment deposit or later tuition charge.

Applicants for whom the fee presents a financial hardship should review the fee-waiver options in the application and Chapman's admissions instructions before submitting. Common Application fee-waiver requests generally involve an applicant's eligibility statement and confirmation by a school official. Graduate and professional programs may use different applications and fees, so their charges should not be assumed to match the undergraduate fee.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Chapman University?

Chapman students can pursue Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through arrangements with cooperating institutions rather than through a Chapman-operated ROTC unit on the main campus. Participation can therefore involve travel to another school for classes, training, or both.

A student considering ROTC should establish the current host unit, course scheduling, cross-enrollment steps, and whether ROTC classes can fit into the intended degree plan before committing. ROTC scholarships have separate application and eligibility rules; accepting certain benefits or continuing into advanced training can carry a military service obligation. The availability of a cross-enrollment arrangement does not mean that every participant receives a scholarship.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Chapman University?

Chapman admits transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers coursework completed at other accredited colleges. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of individual courses toward a Chapman degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should expect to submit records from every college attended and meet any application or supplemental requirements for their proposed major. High school records may also matter depending on the applicant's prior college work and the instructions for that entry term. Chapman reports accepting certain examination-based credit, including CLEP and DSST/DANTES, but the amount and degree applicability require an individual evaluation.

Before enrolling, a transfer student should request an official review showing which courses satisfy general education, major, and elective requirements. A course can transfer as credit without fulfilling a specific major requirement. Applicants to sequential programs, including some creative and technical fields, should pay particular attention to prerequisites and how long the remaining degree will take.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Chapman University?

Chapman offers international study options that can include semester programs and shorter experiences, including opportunities during its January Interterm. Program format matters: some experiences are Chapman-led, while others involve partner institutions or outside providers.

The university's international education advising process helps students examine destinations, academic approval, and how courses will apply to a degree. Students in tightly sequenced majors should seek that approval before making travel commitments. Financial aid may apply differently depending on the program and term, and airfare, visas, insurance, and living costs can change the total price substantially.

Chapman University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1260–1440
4001600
ACT range
28–31
136
Acceptance rate
65%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
65%
California
75%
US
78%

16% of admitted students enrolled (1,631 of 10,230)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Chapman University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 15,634
Admission
Total: 10,230
Enrolled
Total: 1,631
Women
Men

How to Apply to Chapman University

Regular application deadline

January 15

Application fee

$70

Early Decision

Yes, deadline November 1

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Chapman University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 996
Out-of-state: 576
International: 59

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,631
Transfer: 293

Chapman University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1310

Median composite ACT score

29

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

5.96%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

15.92%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Chapman University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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