Chapman University
Chapman University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Chapman University at a Glance
Chapman University is a private research university in Orange, California, United States. Encompassing eleven colleges, the university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The school maintains its founding affiliations with the Christian Church and the United Church of Christ, but is a secular university.
1861
165 years old
$811M
$810.6 million (2024)
10,001
7,656 undergrad · 2,345 grad
1,117
90 acres
Identity
Is Chapman University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Chapman University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $70,070 — 30% above average — while paying $46,555/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.7-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Chapman University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Chapman University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #15 of 24 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | University of the Pacific | 53 | $25,447 | $78,445 |
| #3 | University of Dayton | 52 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
| #4 | Southern Methodist University | 40 | $40,892 | $78,354 |
| #5 | Seton Hall University | 39 | $31,446 | $70,196 |
| #6 | Fordham University | 39 | $44,338 | $85,569 |
| #15 | Chapman University | 31 | $46,555 | $70,070 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Chapman University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CA.
Best Programs at Chapman University
The highest-earning program at Chapman University is Accounting and Related Services at $61,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $15,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Chapman University earns $61,100, while a Music graduate earns $15,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $19,850 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $46,555/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,100 | $61,100 | $19,850 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,600 | $48,600 | $19,989 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,700 | $46,700 | $19,977 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $43,900 | $43,900 | $19,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $40,700 | $40,700 | $23,000 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $38,600 | $38,600 | $23,250 |
| Journalism | $36,800 | $36,800 | $17,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,200 | $36,200 | $19,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $32,000 | $32,000 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $22,557 |
| Public Health | $29,500 | $29,500 | $22,125 |
| Education, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,500 | $27,500 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $19,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,000 | $25,000 | $21,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,600 | $23,600 | $26,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,800 | $19,800 | $23,000 |
| Dance | $18,500 | $18,500 | $26,470 |
| Music | $15,200 | $15,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Orange, CA
- Student Body
- 7,478 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $46,555
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,070
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500