05/28/2026
College Spotlight
Chapman University
Private University
Orange, California
https://www.chapman.edu/
• Undergraduate student enrollment: 7,713
• College location: Suburban, 15 miles from the beach
• Distance from nearest major airport: John Wayne Airport, 9 miles
• Average accepted GPA and test scores: Average GPA 3.78, 1260-1440 SAT, 28-31 ACT, Test Optional
• Acceptance rate: 65%
• Application deadlines: Early Action: November 1, Early Decision: November 1, Regular decision: January 15. Priority deadline or hard deadline November 1 for Film & Television Production, Dance, Screen Acting, Theatre Performance, Writing for Film & Television and Accelerated Pre-Pharmacy Experience Program.
• Merit scholarships/Need-based aid: Merit scholarships awarded at the time of admission. Based on GPA and rigor. Range from $9,000-$45,000. No application for merit scholarship. Only accepts the FAFSA for need-based aid.
• Most popular, new, or unique majors: Known for Film, Business Administration, Health Sciences, and dance. New engineering programs and facilities. Programming for undecided students including majors in minutes (speed dating for majors), exploratory pathways, and housing our undecided students together. Our Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is consistently one of our most popular and selective colleges. With access to state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities to start producing films within your first year, Dodge offers a unique experience for students looking to join the film industry. Grand Challenges Initiative (GCI) The GCI is a unique two-year project that is part of the curriculum for all incoming first-year students in Fowler School of Engineering and Schmid College of Science and Technology majors. You’ll work with a small team of 4-6 fellow students and a research mentor to take on one of our most pressing problems, from reversing climate change to improving data security to developing new health technology—and many more.
• Student Life: DIII NCAA athletics, 25% of students participate in Greek Life with 9 sororities, 9 fraternities, and 4 professional fraternities. Most popular activities include Snow Club, University Program Board (campus event planning), service organizations, A ca****la. Chapman offer multiple ways to study abroad in over 40 different countries, allowing students the flexibility to incorporate global citizenship into their education. Chapman’s location in the heart of Orange County offers a multitude of experiences after classes and on the weekends. With Disneyland, the Angel Stadium, a variety of beaches, the mountains, and Los Angeles nearby, students never get bored!
• Total Cost of Attendance 2026-2027: $97,176
• “What is unique or makes your school stand out?” Chapman University’s size makes us unique. You will have the resources and opportunities of a large institution, but the connection with faculty and peers of a small institution. The sense of involvement and community on campus is so strong and very motivating and comforting.