Chapman University

Private · Moderately Selective · CA

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri (CC BY 3.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationCA · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads7,478

Student:faculty12:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate71.2%

6-yr grad rate81.9%

Drop-out rate8.2%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$65k

Out-of-state tuition$65k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity53.1%

Gender diversity61.5%

International2.9%

IdentityChristian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Overview

Private university in Orange, California, in Orange County's historic Old Towne district, a short drive from both downtown Los Angeles and the beaches of Newport. Chapman has grown from a small liberal-arts college into a mid-sized university organized around a handful of flagship professional schools, most prominently film, and it draws a national student body specifically for its film and business programs alongside a more traditional liberal-arts core.

Academics

Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is the university's signature strength, with production facilities built to industry standard and faculty who often maintain working Hollywood careers alongside teaching. The Argyros School of business and the sciences are also well-resourced, and Chapman has expanded into health sciences with a pharmacy school and other allied-health programs. Dodge College in particular runs on a conservatory-style model in which students direct and crew each other's productions from the first year onward.

Campus & student life

The Old Towne Orange campus is compact, walkable, and architecturally traditional, ringed by a historic district of antique shops and cafes rather than a typical suburban strip. Housing is mostly on or immediately adjacent to campus for underclassmen. Student culture skews toward the entertainment industry, with students building portfolios and reels alongside coursework, but the size and setting keep the atmosphere more intimate than the Los Angeles industry it feeds into. Athletics compete at the Division I level without being central to campus identity.

Getting in

Dodge College applicants typically submit supplemental materials — a portfolio, creative statement, or short video depending on the program — reviewed alongside academic credentials, a more conservatory-style process than Chapman's other schools use. The university weighs fit with its production-focused culture alongside academic numbers, and interest in film and media is a common thread across successful applicants even outside Dodge College itself.

After graduation

Dodge College alumni move directly into film, television, and media production roles, helped by the school's Los Angeles proximity and faculty industry connections. Business graduates place into Southern California's corporate and finance sectors. The alumni network is especially active and visible within the entertainment industry specifically.

chapman.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate65.4%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1260–1440 · ACT 28–31

Test policyoptional

Rec letters1

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionNov 1

Early decisionNov 1

Regular decisionJan 15

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying