Chapman University

Chapman University is a private nonprofit university in Orange, California. Its 11 schools combine liberal arts with professional training, so the right starting point is the degree and school you have in mind—not just the university name. Its best-known professional offerings include Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Argyros College of Business and Economics, Fowler School of Law, the School of Pharmacy, and programs in health, education, communication, engineering and science.

What can you study?

Dodge College offers focused undergraduate degrees such as Film and Television Production, Animation and Visual Effects, Creative Producing, Documentary and Journalism, Screen Acting, and Writing for Film and Television. Film production students build production skills and later focus on areas such as directing, cinematography, editing, sound or production design. Chapman also offers programs in business and economics, engineering, pharmacy, law, health and behavioral sciences, education, performing arts, communication, and the humanities and sciences. Many degrees are selective or have separate progression requirements; check the requirements for the specific major before assuming that admission to Chapman guarantees a place in it. The university’s degree finder lists current undergraduate and graduate programs across its schools.

Plan the real cost—and ask what aid is renewable

For 2026–27, Chapman lists undergraduate tuition of $69,990 and fees of $404 for a full-time student taking 12–18 credits. Its estimated total cost of attendance is $94,376 for a first-year student living on campus, including estimated housing, food, books, personal and transportation costs. These are planning figures: housing and food depend on the living arrangement, health insurance is not automatically included, and taking more than 18 credits adds tuition charges. Ask for a personalized net-price estimate before comparing offers. Chapman’s current cost breakdown explains what is and is not part of the bill.

Chapman reports that 85% of undergraduates received some form of aid and that the average award for Fall 2025 was about $34,600. First-year applicants may be considered automatically for merit awards of up to $42,000 a year, but that is a maximum, not a typical offer or guarantee. Merit scholarships apply to tuition and are renewable for up to eight semesters for eligible full-time students who maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. Need-based applicants generally submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile; Chapman also lists institutional grants, talent awards, federal and state grants, work-study and federal loans. Grants and scholarships do not all have the same rules, and loans must be repaid. Review the financial aid options and confirm the award’s renewal conditions and remaining annual balance with the aid office.

Look closely at outcomes and student feedback

Chapman’s outcomes page reports a Class of 2025 “knowledge rate” of 83.3%: the university had outcome information for 1,480 of 1,777 undergraduates. That is the share of the class whose outcomes were known, not the share employed. The dashboards let prospective students explore employment, graduate study and other reported paths; ask how results for a particular major compare and how many graduates were reached before treating a broad university figure as a forecast.

Student reviews describe a small-campus feel, accessible professors, close relationships and strong creative programs. Some reviewers value the hands-on film experience and student clubs; others raise the high price, housing maintenance, food choices or a social scene that can feel dependent on how much a student gets involved. Experiences vary by program and year. Read the student comments for the trade-offs that matter to you, then ask current students in your intended major about workload, housing and the support available to commuters.

Visit and contact Chapman

The main campus is at One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866; the general information line is (714) 997-6815. The admissions office lists weekday hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Google’s current campus listing shows Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with weekends closed. Campus building access may follow different rules, so arrange a visit before arriving. Chapman’s additional Rinker Health Science Campus is at 9401 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, CA 92618, with health and graduate programs distributed across the campus buildings. The 9401 building is listed as open Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; access to other buildings may be restricted.

Prospective students can register for a student-led tour and information session or contact undergraduate admission at (714) 997-6711. For a program-specific decision, bring questions about admission to the major, the first-year course sequence, internship access, total cost after aid and the outcomes for that particular degree.