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Chapman University

Orange, CA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

ὀ Χριστòς καì ἡ Ἐκκλησíα (Greek)("Christ and Church")

Private research university
Type
10,001
Total Students
7,656
Undergrad
2,345
Graduate
$811M
Endowment
(2024)
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Chapman University

From 1861 pioneer to a leading private research university, Chapman fosters innovation in sunny Orange, CA.

Chapman University stands as a dynamic private research institution, evolving from its groundbreaking origins in 1861 as Hesperian College, which uniquely admitted students regardless of sex or race from its inception. After a journey of relocations and transformations across California, it proudly settled in Orange, California, becoming Chapman University in 1991. Today, with an endowment of $0.8 billion and a vibrant student body of over 10,000, Chapman is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and high-impact research, earning the prestigious Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity.

The university offers a rich array of academic opportunities across its diverse colleges and professional schools. From the acclaimed Dodge College of Film and Media Arts to the innovative Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering, students benefit from cutting-edge facilities and expert faculty. The Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Leatherby Libraries, and the Musco Center for the Arts further enrich campus life, providing spaces for learning, reflection, and artistic expression. Chapman's dedication to research is exemplified by its Economic Science Institute and the state-of-the-art Keck Center for Science and Engineering.

Prospective students will find a stimulating academic environment supported by a strong sense of community and a forward-thinking approach to education. With programs ranging from law and pharmacy to communication and engineering, Chapman prepares its graduates to make meaningful contributions in a rapidly changing world. Its recent national ranking by U.S. News & World Report and the achievement of its first Rhodes Scholar underscore the university's rising prominence and the exceptional caliber of its students.

Key Highlights

  • Achieved Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity.
  • Boasts an endowment of $0.8 billion, supporting robust academic programs and research.
  • Serves over 10,000 students with a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs.
  • Recognized for its nationally prominent Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
  • Founded in 1861 as Hesperian College, it was among the first institutions in California to admit students regardless of sex or race.
  • Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report and produced its first Rhodes Scholar between 2018-2022.
  • Home to state-of-the-art facilities including the Keck Center for Science and Engineering and the Musco Center for the Arts.

Timeline

1861
Founded as Hesperian College in Woodland, California, admitting students regardless of sex or race.
1896
Hesperian merged with Pierce Christian College to form the Berkeley Bible Seminary.
1920
Acquired by California Christian College and moved to Southern California as the California School of Christianity.
1934
Renamed Chapman College after its primary benefactor, C. C. Chapman.
1954
Permanently relocated to its present campus in Orange, California.
1991
Became Chapman University and established key colleges like Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
1996
The School of Film and Television, now Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, opened at Marion Knott Studios.
2013
The Rinker Health Science Campus opened in Irvine, becoming home to the School of Pharmacy.
2018
The Keck Center for Science and Engineering opened, followed by the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering.
2018
Achieved Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity and became nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report (between 2018-2022).

Schools & Colleges

5 notable schools within Chapman University

⚖️

Dale E. Fowler School of Law

Offers Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, located in Kennedy Hall.

⚙️

Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering

The newest school, opened in 2019, housed in Swenson Hall with advanced labs including the Design/Create/Innovate Lab.

💊

School of Pharmacy

Located at the Rinker Campus in Irvine, offering Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science (MSPS), and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

🏫

School of Communication

Housed within Doti Hall, offering three undergraduate majors, an MS in Health and Strategic Communication, and a Ph.D. program.

🎭

Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

A highly acclaimed school for film and media studies, originally opened in 1996 as the School of Film and Television at Marion Knott Studios.

Leadership

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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