<p>CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY in Orange, California</p>
<p>To be a private college in California charging $40K+ can’t be easy, surrounded by a high quality state university system with amazing in-state tuition rates and legitimately outranked by academic powerhouses such as Stanford and the Pomonas. And yet…</p>
<p>Chapman knows its business. Led by a charismatic president (Jim Doti) who knows how to spearhead change and raise money, Chapman picks departments and raises them to national stature with very bold moves. For example, the film school skyrocketed with the opening of Knott Studios, first college facility nationally to embrace digital technology completely, thereby attracting film majors wishing cutting-edge opportunities. FIVE new Physics professors were all hired at once because they worked as a team elsewhere. Performing Arts was consolidated as a consortium to promote interaction among Art, Dance and Theater. The campus was excited this year cheering a student on the TV show, “Dancing With the Stars.” Chapman’s very bold atmosphere embraces well-researched change, a message not lost on its students who seem to be always in motion and very active on projects. </p>
<p>A “National Masters” University (USNWR “Best in the West”) means Chapman offers some graduate programs with terminal Masters degrees, but no Ph.D programs. What does this mean to an undergraduate? Older students are on campus, at Law School, or going for an M.B.A. in Business, Psychology or Fine Arts, and undergrads can attend public campus events from those departments. But there won’t be Ph.D candidates teaching undergraduate course sections, or competing for professor attention over research grants. This plays well for undergrads, and their professors are quite oriented to teaching them. </p>
<p>Located in Southern California, the historic Town of Orange is 15 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, 5 minutes from Disneyland (Orange neighbors Anaheim, CA), home to Angels Stadium for pro baseball, and has a huge mall. These features somewhat redeem the Los Angeles area traffic. </p>
<p>Campus facilities are attractive, clean and new. Founded mid-l9th century, its progressive religious roots are expressed by a sparkling new Fish Interfaith Center, which has all the traditional chapels framed by contemporary architecture, plus a Zen Buddhist garden for meditation. Something for everyone.</p>