Chapman rises to the top
Collage by Riley LeBlanc, Photographer
For the first time in Chapman's history, the university has reached a national ranking, a large accomplishment it has been working towards. Placed at number 100 for the 2027 edition of the U.S. News & World Report's Best National Universities, this achievement encourages Chapman to continue its climb.
Along with its national ranking, Chapman was also placed 39th for “Best Undergraduate Teaching.” This category is tasked to top academics and is received by schools that have remarkably dedicated and strongly committed undergraduate teaching.
The university was also ranked 55th among “Top Private Schools” and 151st for “The Best Value,” both of which measure academic quality.
To celebrate this incredible achievement, Chapman hosted a “Toasting the Top” event at Aitken Arts Plaza in front of the Musco Center for the Arts. Featuring round tables adorned with umbrellas scattered across the lawn, lunch began at 11:30 a.m., including tacos, mini sliders and popsicles.
Both parents and students attended the event as Chapman's Family Homecoming weekend began.
Matt Parlow, Chapman's 14th president, addressed the crowd from the Musco Center balcony, listing Chapman's past rankings and thanking all those who have contributed to Chapman's success over the years.
“There's a dedicated strategic vision of the hard work of not just everyone who's here and who's on our campuses, but those who worked here before us and helped build Chapman into what it is today,” Parlow said.
Looking back at Chapman's history, the university has continued to hit regional and national charts.
In 1991, prior to Chapman officially becoming Chapman University, the school ranked 61st among regional midsize Western Universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report. During former president James Doti's 25-year tenure from 1991 to 2016, the university went from 61st to number five in regional ranking.
Under Daniele Struppa's term from 2016 to 2025, Chapman climbed to fifth among 94 western regional universities in 2018. It also ranked second in the “Most Innovative Schools” category, a key milestone as only two other California schools were included in the top five.
In 2019, Chapman then reached national rankings at 125, close to reaching the top 100 mark. Now, in 2027, Chapman has reached a national ranking of 100.
“It reflects the quality of Chapman, that we do things differently and that we've stayed true to our mission and who we are,” Parlow said. “The best is yet to come.”