


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
16% of admitted students enrolled (1,631 of 10,230)
Regular application deadline
January 15Application fee
$70Early Decision
Yes, deadline November 1Early Action
Yes, deadline November 1Median composite SAT score
1310Median composite ACT score
29Percent of students submitting ACT scores
5.96%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
15.92%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
RequiredFormal demonstration of competencies
RequiredAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
NoROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, SpringData 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.