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Chapman University

Chapman University is a private campus in Orange proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The school reports a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliation in its federal filings.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$37,985

family income
under $30k

$40,713

$30–48k

$39,414

$48–75k

$42,194

$75–110k

$54,519

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$46,5552023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Chapman University rose from $25,753 (2008) to $46,555 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$25,753
2009	$44,157
2010	$31,451
2011	$32,222
2012	$33,821
2013	$35,602
2014	$36,367
2015	$40,769
2016	$39,228
2017	$40,251
2018	$41,350
2019	$44,198
2020	$39,047
2021	$44,342
2022	$47,527
2023	$46,555

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$83,1462024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Chapman University rose from $47,735 (2009) to $83,146 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$47,735
2010	$51,766
2011	$53,733
2012	$55,395
2013	$57,020
2014	$58,948
2015	$61,231
2016	$64,501
2017	$66,430
2018	$69,018
2019	$72,079
2020	$74,336
2021	$71,065
2022	$78,549
2023	$81,327
2024	$83,146

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$21,314
2001	$22,256
2002	$23,316
2003	$24,576
2004	$26,150
2005	$28,050
2006	$29,900
2007	$32,608
2008	$34,700
2013	$43,573
2014	$45,393
2015	$47,260
2016	$48,710
2017	$50,594
2018	$52,724
2019	$54,924
2020	$57,214
2021	$58,634
2022	$60,672
2023	$62,784

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Chapman University reports published tuition of $64,984 in this record. Chapman University's $64,984 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Chapman University reports 7,478 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

81.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Chapman University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

81.9%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Chapman University rose from 57.9% (entered 1994) to 81.9% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	44.3%
1992 cohort	46.3%
1994 cohort	57.9%
1995 cohort	62.1%
1996 cohort	55.5%
1997 cohort	58.1%
1998 cohort	65.2%
1999 cohort	65.7%
2000 cohort	64.5%
2001 cohort	67.3%
2002 cohort	67.2%
2003 cohort	72.9%
2004 cohort	70.2%
2005 cohort	71.9%
2006 cohort	72.3%
2007 cohort	76.1%
2008 cohort	74.5%
2009 cohort	79.4%
2010 cohort	78.9%
2011 cohort	79%
2012 cohort	78.8%
2013 cohort	80.6%
2014 cohort	80%
2015 cohort	79.9%
2016 cohort	83.6%
2017 cohort	80.4%
2018 cohort	81.9%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$14,370	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$14,375	$6,729
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,800	$6,850
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$11,338	$7,213
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$11,800	$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$14,500	$8,400
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,375	$7,877
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,700	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$15,500	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,000	$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$15,750	$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,250	$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,125	$12,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$19,125	$12,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$19,500	$12,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$20,000	$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$19,515	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$20,500	$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$20,750	$11,863
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$21,000	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$21,250	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$20,750	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$20,500	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$20,500	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$58,080

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$67,467

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$70,070

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Chapman University admitted 10,230 of 15,634 applicants in Fall 2024. The 65.4% rate describes that application pool.

65.4%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $62,784 tuition · 2023–24 7,478 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1260–14401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Chapman University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Chapman University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 630–720 and Math was 630–720 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1260–1440 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	630	680	720
SAT Math	630	670	720
ACT Composite	28	30	31

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Chapman University received 15,634 applications and admitted 10,230 (65.4%), with 1,631 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

65.4%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	70%
Fall 2002	59.5%
Fall 2003	62%
Fall 2004	58%
Fall 2005	58%
Fall 2006	52.7%
Fall 2007	49.4%
Fall 2008	50.1%
Fall 2009	56.3%
Fall 2010	49.6%
Fall 2011	44.9%
Fall 2012	43.6%
Fall 2013	44.7%
Fall 2014	47%
Fall 2015	47.6%
Fall 2016	54%
Fall 2017	57.2%
Fall 2018	53.6%
Fall 2019	55.6%
Fall 2020	58.3%
Fall 2021	60.4%
Fall 2022	72.5%
Fall 2023	55.6%
Fall 2024	65.4%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1260–1440Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1059	1288
Fall 2002	1071	1294
Fall 2003	1076	1299
Fall 2004	1082	1307
Fall 2005	1082	1307
Fall 2006	1098	1326
Fall 2007	1105	1334
Fall 2008	1109	1340
Fall 2009	1115	1339
Fall 2010	1090	1300
Fall 2011	1110	1310
Fall 2012	1110	1310
Fall 2013	1120	1300
Fall 2014	1110	1290
Fall 2015	1100	1290
Fall 2016	1110	1300
Fall 2017	1190	1360
Fall 2018	1190	1370
Fall 2019	1190	1380
Fall 2020	1170	1350
Fall 2021	1210	1410
Fall 2022	1200	1400
Fall 2023	1250	1430
Fall 2024	1260	1440

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

28–31Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	21	27
Fall 2002	22	28
Fall 2003	22	28
Fall 2004	23	28
Fall 2005	23	28
Fall 2006	24	29
Fall 2007	25	29
Fall 2008	25	29
Fall 2009	25	29
Fall 2010	25	29
Fall 2011	24	29
Fall 2012	25	29
Fall 2013	24	29
Fall 2014	25	29
Fall 2015	25	30
Fall 2016	25	30
Fall 2017	25	30
Fall 2018	25	30
Fall 2019	25	31
Fall 2020	25	30
Fall 2021	26	31
Fall 2022	26	31
Fall 2023	28	32
Fall 2024	28	31

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

7,478Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Chapman University rose from 3,217 (Fall 2002) to 7,478 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,217
Fall 2003	3,413
Fall 2004	3,708
Fall 2005	3,839
Fall 2006	4,053
Fall 2007	4,169
Fall 2008	4,264
Fall 2009	4,437
Fall 2010	4,879
Fall 2011	5,265
Fall 2012	5,641
Fall 2013	5,940
Fall 2014	6,211
Fall 2015	6,281
Fall 2016	6,338
Fall 2017	6,740
Fall 2018	7,026
Fall 2019	7,294
Fall 2020	7,231
Fall 2021	7,469
Fall 2022	7,665
Fall 2023	7,629
Fall 2024	7,478

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

92%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Chapman University has held near 92% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	84%
Fall 2003 cohort	88%
Fall 2004 cohort	85%
Fall 2005 cohort	87%
Fall 2006 cohort	87%
Fall 2007 cohort	86%
Fall 2008 cohort	87%
Fall 2009 cohort	93%
Fall 2010 cohort	91%
Fall 2011 cohort	91%
Fall 2012 cohort	91%
Fall 2013 cohort	91%
Fall 2014 cohort	90%
Fall 2015 cohort	89%
Fall 2016 cohort	91%
Fall 2017 cohort	90%
Fall 2018 cohort	91%
Fall 2019 cohort	85%
Fall 2020 cohort	92%
Fall 2021 cohort	91%
Fall 2022 cohort	90%
Fall 2023 cohort	92%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Chapman University

Faculty pay at Chapman University averages $163,332 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Chapman University as a primarily residential campus of 7,478 undergraduates — and 91.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Chapman University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1260–1440 — their midpoint is near the CA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Chapman University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Chapman University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Chapman University65.4%

California median74.4%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Chapman University$64,984

California median$23,000

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Chapman University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Chapman University$70,070

California median$64,778

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Chapman University, California and national reference values
Metric & basis	Chapman University	California median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	65.4%	74.4%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$64,984	$23,000	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$70,070	$64,778	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Chapman University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Chapman University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 22 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$112,780
Accounting and Related Services	$102,147
Business/Managerial Economics	$84,978
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$84,378
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$80,139
Journalism	$79,135
Design and Applied Arts	$78,121
Business/Corporate Communications	$76,412
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$75,108
Communication and Media Studies	$73,461
Public Health	$72,529
Political Science and Government	$68,856
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$66,494
Education, General	$64,917
Biology, General	$64,461
Psychology, General	$63,617
Sociology	$62,047
English Language and Literature, General	$58,055
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	$51,611
Dance	$50,612
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies	$44,183
Music	$41,698

These 22 fields listed for Chapman University measure earnings after completion. The $70,070 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 34 additional Chapman University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Chapman University report?

Chapman University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1260–1440 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Chapman University's acceptance rate?

65.4% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 10,230 admitted from 15,634 applicants.

How much does Chapman University cost?

At Chapman University, tuition is $64,984. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Chapman University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $70,070. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in California

Concordia University-Irvine — 66% admitted
University of California-Santa Cruz — 65.8% admitted
University of California-Riverside — 76.4% admitted
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — 75.2% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.