Location: Orange, CA
Undergrad Student Pop: approx 8,000 (medium)
Type: Private
THE BASICS: Chapman University
Chapman University resides in the city of Orange, California. Neighboring Anaheim, it is a 5 mile stretch from Chapman’s campus to Disneyland Park. Its location in the southern part of the Los Angeles area, both buses and trains offer affordable transport from Orange to downtown LA in under an hour. The city is also in close proximity to the coast and a multitude of well-known beaches; it is approximately 18 miles from Orange to Huntington Beach. Neighboring Anaheim, it is a 5 mile stretch from Chapman’s campus to Disneyland Park. Downtown, beaches, and ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ within the reach of all Chapman students.
School Colors: Red and Black
Mascot: Pete the Panther
Visit Chapman University’s Website
FUN FACTS: Chapman University
- The Happiest of Neighbors: Disneyland is only a 10 minute drive away and the second top employer of Chapman University graduates. After a long day at classes, students can bike from campus to the park in around 30 minutes and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon.
- Campus Carnival: There is an annual event called Spring Sizzle, a campus wide celebration filled with carnival‑themed food, games, music, and giveaways hosted in the central piazza.
- As Seen on TV: The campus is in an area called “Old Towne Orange,” a part of the city that is California’s biggest Nationally Registered Historic District. Thanks to its picturesque charm, “Olde Town Orange” is a popular filming location for movies and TV shows; it fits the classic small-town mainstreet cliche despite its central location between the bustling cities of Anaheim and Irvine.
- Fountains of Fun: An orientation tradition named “fountain hopping” encourages new students to jump into all the fountains across campus in the middle of the night.
- A Break from City Life: Orange, California borders multiple regional parks and recreational areas, including Irvine Regional Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park, and Black Star Canyon.
TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS: Chapman University
To help students determine if a school is a good fit for them, it’s important to consider these three aspects of each school on your list. Evaluate each school based, in part, on the following:
ACADEMIC – While it has a reputation for its highly ranked film school, Chapman has more to offer. With a full music conservatory program, an excellent business school, and an emphasis on international experience and hands-on learning, Chapman has something for everyone.
FINANCIAL – While the sticker price is high, Chapman offers significant financial aid, including merit aid to students who don’t qualify for need-based aid. Even with that discount, however, the cost of Chapman will exceed that of an in-state flagship university.
SOCIAL – Chapman is a great fit for students looking for a smaller college experience. Greek life plays a role, but doesn’t rule the social scene. It is a promising fit for a student who wants a recognizable community, enjoys getting involved, and likes having both organized events and smaller-group social options.
PRO TIP FOR VISITING: Chapman University
While Chapman is a relatively small university, it has built professional-grade infrastructure for undergraduates. Even if you have ZERO interest in majoring in film, a walk through Marion Knott Studios gives you a much better sense of Chapman’s ambition. Interdisciplinary students can benefit from this ecosystem even if they’re studying business, advertising, writing, computer science, music, acting, animation, etc.
Marion Knott Studios, part of the Dodge College of Film & Media Arts tour, includes a 76,000-square-foot facility designed to function like an actual professional production studio, with real sound stages, a Foley sound-effects stage, 36 individual editing suites, four mixing studios, set-design and production-design facilities, hair/makeup and green rooms, and a 500-seat theater.
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“Before working with Elizabeth, I had no idea how or where to even start applying to colleges. She knew exactly what she was doing and kept me on a clear schedule with specific tasks and deadlines, which made everything so much easier. The whole process can be super confusing, but she made it stress free for me and my parents.
” Student – Class of 2025
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