Chapman University, located in Orange, California, was founded in 1861 as what was then known as Hesperian College. The school was established by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and since its first day of operations admitted men, women and people of color.
In 1934 the school changed its name to Chapman University to commemorate Charles Clarke Chapman, the Valencia orange magnate, due to his endowment of the school. In 1954 the school moved, taking over the former Orange Union High School campus. By 1965, Chapman began operating World Campus Afloat, a ship that allows Chapman Students to take a semester at sea, travelling to a variety of locations, participating in research and philanthropic activities. Chapman is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in California.
Academics
Chapman provides undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. The undergraduate programs are based in a liberal arts and sciences foundation that encourages cross discipline activity. Such activities allow for students to pursue and create their own educational opportunities in conjunction faculty and staff.
Study abroad programs, research projects, and attention to the arts are all part of the Chapman University experience. By encouraging students to pursue practical experience building opportunities, the school hopes to develop young minds and widen their field of opportunity and possibility.
Programs offered include:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Sociology
- Film Studies
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Law
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals seeking admission to Chapman University must submit a completed application with the application fee, all applicable transcripts, SAT and/or ACT scores and a letter of recommendation. Some programs may have additional requirements that must be fulfilled for the application process to proceed. Individuals should research their major of choice to ensure that all requirements are met. Once the application and all supplemental material are received, the admissions office will review the application and provide an answer in a timely fashion.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships and work study programs. Students must determine eligibility for aid through the Student Aid Report provided by a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid awards are based on need, and will disbursed as such. Scholarships may be awarded to students based on criterion other than need. Additional information is available through the school website and the financial aid office.
Athletics
The Chapman University Jaguars are a Nation Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III school and a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The school understands the value of maintaining active sports programs, as it helps students develop skill that will be useful in their professional careers as well as provides a distraction and morale boost for students as a whole. As a result, Chapman offers a wide variety of sports programs for both men and women.
Sports programs:
- Basketball
- Baseball (Men Only)
- Crew
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Softball (Women Only)
- Football (Men Only)
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Water Polo
- Track and Field (Women Only)
- Volleyball
- Lacrosse
- Golf (Men Only)
- Sailing
- Ice Hockey (Men Only)
- Cheerleading
Clubs and Organizations
Chapman University is home to over 90 clubs and organizations that offer students opportunities to pursue interests and meet likeminded individuals. Some clubs may promote civic activity, while others may focus on games and tournaments, while others still may choose to focus attention to specific field of study.
Students may engage in activities on and off campus, promote events, and develop programs. Clubs and organizations exist to provide social aspects to the college experience that may be lacking in dorms or classrooms and may augment the education one pursues.
Some clubs and organizations at Chapman University:
- Anime Escape
- Chapman on Broadway
- Improv Inc.
- Anyone Can Cook
- Panther Vision
Students may also begin clubs to encourage growth in topics and fields that have not been met by other clubs or organizations. The university provides guidelines and forms online, and interested students may work together to establish a new Chapman University tradition.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may provide a better idea of the applicants Chapman University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Chapman University has a total student population of about 8,300, with undergraduate students making up about 77% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The items listed below are for informational purposes only and may not represent current tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- The estimated tuition range is around $47,000-$56,000 per year
- Part time students pay in the range of $1,400 to $1,700 per unit
- May provide a prepaid tuition option, which allows tuition to be purchased at current rates for enrollment at a future date
Financial Aid Details
The information below lists the financial aid types students are receiving. Also shown are the percent of students receiving aid and the average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 89% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 85% | $24,600 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 74% | $7,246 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, Chapman University may provide services to students like those listed below:- Online course work available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
Graduation Rates
With a graduation rate of around 76%, Chapman University is among the most successful schools in the area.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 59% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 14% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 3% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Teacher Education (Bachelor's) Program
- Dance Program
- Graduate Teacher Education Program
- Law Program
- Music Program
- Theatre Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Chapman University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division III (with football) classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf)
- Basketball (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf)
- Football (Southern California Intercoll Ath Conf)
- Golf
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field, Outdoor
- Track and Field, X-Country
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Chapman University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B)
- Biochemistry (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Business Economics (B)
- Corporate Communications (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (B)
- Public Relations (B)
- Broadcast Journalism (B)
- Health Communication (M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B)
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications (M)
- Computer (B)
Education
- Education (B, M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (M)
- Guidance Counselor (M)
- Special Education (D, M)
- Secondary Education (M)
- Curriculum and Instruction (D)
- Music Teacher Education (B)
- Elementary Education (M)
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Creative Writing (B, M)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Health Services Administration (B)
- Communication Disorders (M)
- Athletic Training (B)
- Marriage and Family Therapy (M)
History
- History (B)
- American History (B)
- European History (B)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Nutrition (B, M)
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (B)
- International and Global Studies (M)
- Computational Science (D)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Law (D)
- Banking, Corporate, Finance and Securities Law (M)
- Advanced Legal Research (M)
- International Law and Legal Studies (M)
- Tax Law, Taxation (M)
- Intellectual Property Law (M)
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (M)
- Legal Studies (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Natural Resources Management and Policy (B)
- Environmental Science (M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
- Religious Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B)
- Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (B)
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
- School Psychology (D, M)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (B)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Social Sciences
- Political Science (B)
- Sociology (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Cinematography And Film (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Dance (B)
- Playwriting and Screenwriting (B, M)
- Graphic Design (B)
- Acting (B)
- Film Studies (B, M)
- Voice and Opera (B)
- Art History (B)
- Music Performance (B)
- Art Studies (B)
- Music (B)
- Game Design (B)
- Design and Applied Arts (B)
- Music Theory and Composition (B)
- Piano and Organ
- Conducting
Other 4-Year Private Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Chapman University.
- California State University - Fullerton in Fullerton, CA (6 miles away)
- Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI (10 miles away)
- California State University - Long Beach in Long Beach, CA (15 miles away)
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona in Pomona, CA (18 miles away)
- California State University - Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA (24 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Review a complete list of all the California colleges
- Get a list of all private colleges in California
- See if these other Christian Colleges in California may interest you?
Data Disclaimer
Information displayed on this page has been obtained from Institution, State, and Federal data sources, including the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Survey 2010-2016. Information should be solely used for informational purposes only and may not be accurate for the current year. Contact Chapman University for official up-to-date information.