Orange, CA · Private University
Is Chapman University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$70,070
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$62,784
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,784
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$251,136
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.12x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$47,527
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Chapman University graduates earn $25,070 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Chapman University ranked by graduate earnings
44 graduates
344 graduates
35 graduates
25 graduates
24 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Chapman University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Chapman University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $86,240) and the lowest (Dance: $29,661) is $56,579/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $86,240 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $83,362 | 1.3x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $75,777 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $69,235 | 1.1x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $67,125 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $64,529 | 1.0x |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $61,840 | 1.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $60,270 | 1.0x |
| Journalism | $60,210 | 1.0x |
| Education, General | $60,147 | 1.0x |
| Public Health | $60,106 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $53,340 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,027 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $52,788 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $51,869 | 0.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $51,451 | 0.8x |
| Sociology | $46,686 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,757 | 0.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $40,640 | 0.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $36,546 | 0.6x |
| Music | $33,946 | 0.5x |
| DanceLowest | $29,661 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | 1.12x | $70,070 | Average ROI |
| Pepperdine University | 1.24x | $82,939 | Average ROI |
| Southern Methodist University | 1.22x | $78,354 | Average ROI |
| Biola University | 1.22x | $56,778 | Average ROI |
| University of San Francisco | 1.54x | $89,812 | Good ROI |
| University of Denver | 1.20x | $71,155 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Chapman University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $70,070 10 years after starting — $25,070 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.