Is Chapman University test optional?

We haven't confirmed Chapman University's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Chapman University's acceptance rate?

65% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 10,230 of 15,634 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 14%, from 13,670 in 2015 to 15,634 in 2024, and Chapman University's admit rate went from 48% to 65%.

What ACT score do you need for Chapman University?

5% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 28–31, with a median of 30. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1280–1410 works out to about 27–31.

Does applying early decision help at Chapman University?

51% of early decision applicants were admitted (145 of 282), against 65% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

How many students get off the waitlist at Chapman University?

523 of the 1,144 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 46%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Chapman University? (Middle 50%: 1280–1410)

First-year students at Chapman University who sent an SAT scored 1280–1410, with a median of 1355 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Chapman University admits 65% of applicants.

Chapman University · Orange, CA

Where your score lands at Chapman University

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1280–1410, median 1355

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Chapman University is for you and whether to send your score.

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Chapman University by the numbers

Admit rate: 65%
Middle 50% SAT: 1280–1410
Median SAT: 1355
About on the ACT: 27–31
Sent an SAT: 14%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Chapman University admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 14%, from 13,670 in 2015 to 15,634 in 2024, and Chapman University's admit rate went from 48% to 65%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	15,634	10,230	65%
2023	15,914	8,849	56%
2022	13,690	9,928	73%
2021	15,098	9,115	60%
2020	14,252	8,303	58%
2019	14,273	7,943	56%
2018	14,198	7,605	54%
2017	13,170	7,539	57%
2016	12,821	6,927	54%
2015	13,670	6,504	48%

In fall 2024, 1,631 of the 10,230 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Chapman University

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1230Far reachHold
1230–1270ReachHold
1280–1350TargetHold
1360–1400TargetSend
1410 and upLikelySend

11001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Chapman University SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	630	670	720
SAT Reading and Writing	630	680	720
SAT total	1280	1355	1410
ACT composite	28	30	31

Of enrolled first-year students, 14% sent an SAT and 5% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Top 10% of their class: 39%; of new students who reported a rank

Chapman University early decision and waitlist

Early decision

145 of 282 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision51%
All applicants65%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

1,900 applicants were offered a spot, 1,144 took it, and 523 were admitted from it.

46%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Chapman University cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $46,555; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 82%
Median earnings: $70,070; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 8,046

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Chapman University

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Chapman University Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Chapman University website
Chapman University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1280–1410, and the median was 1355. At 1355 or higher you're above half of them. Chapman University admits 65% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$