Orange, CA · Private · 7,478 undergraduates · urban
Chapman University
Moderately selective
Chapman combines a compact Orange campus with highly specialized film and media programs whose applicants face a second, creative admissions layer.
Institutional profile
Established Strong in academic standing, and solid in student experience.- Admission
- 55.6% admitted
- Price by income
- Varies across five income ranges
- Completion
- 82%
15,914 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$70,070 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Chapman University apart
Academic design
Dodge College separates filmmaking, writing, production design, animation, screen acting, television, and other media disciplines into specialized undergraduate programs.
Campus pattern
The campus sits beside walkable Old Towne Orange, so restaurants, shops, historic streets, and the rail station are immediately beyond university grounds.
A signature opportunity
Dodge College's major-specific Creative Supplement makes artistic thinking and preparation part of admission rather than relying only on the general application.
Can I get in?
55.6% admitted
Every Dodge College applicant must complete the Creative Supplement assigned to the intended major after submitting the university application; prompts and format requirements differ by program.
Recent applicant pool
15,914About 56 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 16% submitted an SAT, and 8% submitted an ACT. Very few of the admitted class reported a score at all, so the SAT and ACT ranges describe those students rather than the class.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Chapman University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Chapman University weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Dodge College separates filmmaking, writing, production design, animation, screen acting, television, and other media disciplines into specialized undergraduate programs.
Make institutional fit specific
Chapman combines a compact Orange campus with highly specialized film and media programs whose applicants face a second, creative admissions layer.
Use the application route carefully
Every Dodge College applicant must complete the Creative Supplement assigned to the intended major after submitting the university application; prompts and format requirements differ by program.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Every Dodge College applicant must complete the Creative Supplement assigned to the intended major after submitting the university application; prompts and format requirements differ by program.
Fee waiver: accepted
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
Performing and visual artsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Chapman University
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Admits separately
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Admits separately
Psychology, General
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Admits separately
Public Health
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
Chapman University beyond the classroom
The campus sits beside walkable Old Towne Orange, so restaurants, shops, historic streets, and the rail station are immediately beyond university grounds.
A defining academic feature
Dodge College separates filmmaking, writing, production design, animation, screen acting, television, and other media disciplines into specialized undergraduate programs.
What shapes an ordinary week
The campus sits beside walkable Old Towne Orange, so restaurants, shops, historic streets, and the rail station are immediately beyond university grounds.
A reason to look closer
Dodge College's major-specific Creative Supplement makes artistic thinking and preparation part of admission rather than relying only on the general application.