Chapman University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Chapman University is a four-year private research university located in Orange, California. This educational institution offers certificates as well as degrees ranging from bachelor to doctoral degrees.

Read on to learn about Chapman University acceptance rates and admission requirements, tuition and fees, popular majors, and much more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In 2024-25, Chapman University tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students was $64,984, which is more than the national average of $41,540 at private colleges.

Financial Aid

In 2022-23, 91% of students received financial aid with 87% of them receiving grants and/or scholarships. More specifically they received:

•  Federal grants: 20% with an average award of $7,996.

•  Pell grants: 20% with an average award of $5,378.

•  Other federal grants: 13% with an average award of $3,957.

•  State/local government grant/scholarships: 16% with an average award of $9,204.

•  Institutional grants/scholarships: 87% with an average award of $29,786.

•  Student loan aid: 76% with an average award of $7,210.

•  Federal student loans: 76% with an average award of $5,669.

•  Private student loans: 4% with an average award of $29,793.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: Scholarships can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At Chapman University, 76% of students take out federal student loans and 4% take out private student loans. The average private student loan is $29,793.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Using Chapman University figures from 2024-25, a four-year degree would cost $259,936 in tuition and fees. As a point of comparison, the average cost for a private four-year university in the U.S. is $166,160 in tuition and fees. This makes Chapman’s tuition 56% higher than the national average.

Recommended: California Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2024-25, the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies was $66,584.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition and fees in 2024-25 was $39,868 at Chapman University. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

If you’re looking to attend school as a part-time undergraduate student, it would cost you $2,008 per credit at Chapman University.

Campus Housing Expenses

Freshmen are assigned to one of five learning communities for housing, while six residence halls and apartment buildings are available for sophomores and upperclassmen.

They offer a guide to off-campus living , categorizing options by how far they are from campus.

Chapman Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

When applying to Chapman University, here’s what you’ll need to submit with your application.

Required:

•  High school academic record

•  Letters of recommendations

•  Essay

Optional:

•  SAT/ACT scores

•  Work experience

Application deadlines are:

•  November 1 (before the academic year) for early action non-binding deadline

•  November 1 (before the academic year) for early decision binding deadline

•  January 15 of the academic year for regular decisions

You can apply to Chapman here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Chapman University has a test-optional policy. If you’d like to forward SAT or ACT scores, do so by the application deadlines above.

Twenty-four percent of applicants chose to submit SAT scores in Fall 2023 with these percentiles (25th and 75th):

Popular Majors at Chapman University

In 2023-24, Chapman University awarded 1,936 bachelor’s degrees during that academic year. The university offers around 50 majors, with the most popular being:

1. Business Administration and Management

Undergraduates receive a strong liberal arts education with a focus on business applications, including accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, quantitative methodologies, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 422

2. Cinematography and Film/Video Production

Undergraduates learn about all filmmaking aspects and will specialize in one of their choices. Using state-of-the-art equipment in professional facilities, students make a thesis film for their portfolio.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 159

3. Psychology

Besides education in clinical psychology, students will get hands-on lab and field research experience and have opportunities to make a difference.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 155

4. Health Services Administration

This bachelor’s degree combines behavioral and health sciences to give students a broad understanding of today’s health care needs.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 103

5. Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Students in this program learn how to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts, and they participate in at least one hands-on internship.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 96

6. Business/Corporate Communications

This degree prepares undergraduates for purposeful real-world communications with a focus on advancing an organization’s mission and vision.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 85

7. Political Science and Government

Political science students learn about American institutions and processes, from local, state, and national governments to media and special interests groups.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 60

8. Business/Managerial Economics

This degree empowers students to understand economics and apply them to real-world business scenarios. They also learn the skills of clear communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 57

9. Education

Chapman University provides students with an outstanding foundation for teachers, healthcare professionals, and more in schools and communities.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 54

10. Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

This bachelor’s degree prepares undergraduates to connect businesses with their audiences, and is a good foundation for work in advertising/PR agencies, nonprofits, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 44

Learn more about the fields of study you can major in at Chapman here .

Graduation Rate

For students who began their studies in the fall of 2017, the graduation rate was:

•  4 years: 71%

•  6 years: 80%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Chapman graduates have median earnings of $70,070, compared to a national average of $68,680.