“A vibrant private university in the heart of Orange County, blending liberal arts excellence with professional ambition.”
Chapman University is a private research institution located in Orange, California, serving approximately 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded in 1861 and relocated to its current Orange campus in 1954 on the former site of Orange High School, Chapman has established itself as a comprehensive university with particular strength in film, media, and performing arts. The university is distinguished by its Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, consistently ranked in the top 5 film schools in the United States, which attracts aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters, and media professionals from around the world. Chapman's academic structure encompasses 10 colleges and schools including the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, College of Performing Arts, School of Business and Economics, College of Educational Studies, Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, and more. The university emphasizes a personalized educational experience with strong faculty engagement, a vibrant campus community, and extensive opportunities for hands-on learning. With a test-optional admissions policy and acceptance rate around 56%, Chapman attracts motivated students seeking a balance between academic rigor and creative expression. The Orange campus features modern facilities, including state-of-the-art soundstages and editing suites for film students, dedicated performance spaces for the arts, and collaborative learning environments across all disciplines. Chapman is known for fostering a tight-knit community with strong Greek life presence, diverse student organizations, and traditions like Yoga on the Lawn and campus festivals. The university's location in Orange provides proximity to Los Angeles, offering unparalleled internship and career opportunities in entertainment, media, business, and public relations industries.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Early Action / Early Decision
ED is binding. EA is non-binding. ED required for early review of Film & TV Production, Dance, Pre-Pharmacy, Theatre Performance, and Screen Acting.
Regular Decision
All other programs and applicants.
Spring Entry
Spring entry not available for Dance, Film & TV Production, Screen Acting, or Theatre Performance.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$67,874
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $64,984
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
