Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Chapman University: 2008-0614-LA-OC-014-ChapmanLaw
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Chapman University

  • LocationOrange, CA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 9,961 students

Affiliation: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Official website

Chapman University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Catholic Mass at Chapman University is held in the multi-faith Fish Interfaith Center and is organized by the Newman Catholic Fellowship, a student group. Official pages list Mass on Wednesdays at 12:00 PM and Sundays at 4:00 PM, with Fr. Rafael Luevano as chaplain, and confession on Wednesdays at 11:30 AM.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Wednesday12:00 PMFish Interfaith Center
  • Sunday4:00 PMFish Interfaith Center

Confession 1

  • Wednesday11:30 AM–12:00 PMFish Interfaith Center

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
    The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
    “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
    The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
    “Sunday 4:00 p.m.. - 5:00 p.m... | Catholic Mass”
    The weekly schedule lists Mass on Sunday at 4:00 PM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Chapman University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miHoly Family Catholic Church: 0.9 mi1St. Norbert Catholic Church: 1.5 mi2Christ Cathedral: 2.7 mi3La Purisma Catholic Church: 2.7 mi4Fish Interfaith Center (Catholic Mass and Newman Catholic Fellowship): 0.0 miChapman University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Holy Family Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 566 South Glassell Street, Orange
  2. St. Norbert Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 300 East Taft Avenue, Orange
  3. Christ Cathedral — 2.7 mi · 12141 Lewis Street, Garden Grove
  4. La Purisma Catholic Church — 2.7 mi · 18801 East Spring Street

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

CCatholic life on campus: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

66 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The university's Christian Students page lists Catholic Mass and confession served by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with a named chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Mass and Confession:Every Wednesday at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m., the Newman Catholic Fellowship student group celebrates weekly masses with Fr. Rafael Luevano in the Fish Interfaith Center.”
      Catholic Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
      “Newman Catholic Fellowship (NCF): A student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community at Chapman through frequent meetings/discussion groups and celebrations of the holy mass.”
      The Newman Catholic Fellowship is a student organization for Catholic students that holds meetings, discussion groups, and Mass.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Fr. Rafael Luevano is listed as Associate Professor and Chaplain; the chaplaincy is not presented as full-time.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Meet Our Staff | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/staff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Rafael Luévano Associate Professor, Chaplain Smith Hall 2 714-532-6098 luevano@chapman.edu”
      Fr. Rafael Luevano is listed as a chaplain who is also an associate professor, with a published phone and email.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Mass is listed on Wednesdays only (12:00 PM) at the Fish Interfaith Center.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
      The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
    2. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Mass and Confession:Every Wednesday at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m., the Newman Catholic Fellowship student group celebrates weekly masses with Fr. Rafael Luevano in the Fish Interfaith Center.”
      Catholic Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One weekend Mass: Sunday at 4:00 PM.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 4:00 p.m.. - 5:00 p.m... | Catholic Mass”
      The weekly schedule lists Mass on Sunday at 4:00 PM.
    2. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Mass and Confession:Every Wednesday at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m., the Newman Catholic Fellowship student group celebrates weekly masses with Fr. Rafael Luevano in the Fish Interfaith Center.”
      Catholic Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is listed weekly on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
      The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (Newman Catholic Fellowship is the only Catholic student group found on official pages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Catholic Fellowship (NCF): A student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community at Chapman through frequent meetings/discussion groups and celebrations of the holy mass.”
      The Newman Catholic Fellowship is a student organization for Catholic students that holds meetings, discussion groups, and Mass.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)One kind (Only one kind of formation found: the group's regular meetings and discussion groups.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Catholic Fellowship (NCF): A student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community at Chapman through frequent meetings/discussion groups and celebrations of the holy mass.”
      The Newman Catholic Fellowship is a student organization for Catholic students that holds meetings, discussion groups, and Mass.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (3 weekly times documented: 2 Mass, 1 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Catholic Mass is listed on campus twice a week, on Wednesday at noon and Sunday at 4:00 PM, with confession listed weekly on Wednesdays.
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Mass and Confession:Every Wednesday at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m., the Newman Catholic Fellowship student group celebrates weekly masses with Fr. Rafael Luevano in the Fish Interfaith Center.”
      Catholic Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
    2. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
      The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
  • A Catholic student group, the Newman Catholic Fellowship, is listed on the university's official pages with a named chaplain.
    Sources (1)
    1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Mass and Confession:Every Wednesday at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m., the Newman Catholic Fellowship student group celebrates weekly masses with Fr. Rafael Luevano in the Fish Interfaith Center.”
      Catholic Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center by the Newman Catholic Fellowship with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
      “Newman Catholic Fellowship (NCF): A student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community at Chapman through frequent meetings/discussion groups and celebrations of the holy mass.”
      The Newman Catholic Fellowship is a student organization for Catholic students that holds meetings, discussion groups, and Mass.

Concerns

  • Weekday Mass is listed only on Wednesdays, and the chaplain is listed as an associate professor as well as chaplain.
    Sources (2)
    1. Weekly Meetings & Events | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/spiritual-groups/weekly-meetings-and-events.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m... | Confession | 12:00 p.m... -12:30 p.m.. | Catholic Mass”
      The weekly schedule lists confession on Wednesday at 11:30 AM and Mass on Wednesday at noon.
    2. Meet Our Staff | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/staff.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Rafael Luévano Associate Professor, Chaplain Smith Hall 2 714-532-6098 luevano@chapman.edu”
      Fr. Rafael Luevano is listed as a chaplain who is also an associate professor, with a published phone and email.
  • Catholic Mass takes place in the multi-faith Fish Interfaith Center.
    Sources (1)
    1. About Fish Interfaith Center | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/about/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Fish Interfaith Center is located in the heart of the campus”
      The Fish Interfaith Center is located in the heart of the campus.
      “A designated space for worship, reflection, and special events for the Chapman community of all religious beliefs, including those who identify as atheist or agnostic.”
      The Wallace All Faiths Chapel in the Fish Interfaith Center is a space for worship for the whole community of all faiths.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Fish Interfaith Center (Catholic Mass and Newman Catholic Fellowship)

  • Address: One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: interfaith chapel (Wallace All Faiths Chapel), prayer and meditation room

View on map ↗

Source: chapman.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, chapman.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, chapman.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

2 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus

Clubs and groups 1

  • Newman Catholic FellowshipOn campus
    Regular meetings; Mass on Wednesdays and Sundays
    Student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community through meetings, discussion groups, and celebrations of the holy Mass.
    chapman.edu

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Catholic MassOn campus
    Wednesdays at 12:00 PM; Sundays at 4:00 PM
    Weekly Mass celebrated in the Fish Interfaith Center with Fr. Rafael Luevano.
    chapman.edu, chapman.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Christian Students | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/christian-students/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Newman Catholic Fellowship (NCF): A student organization that promotes the Catholic faith and community at Chapman through frequent meetings/discussion groups and celebrations of the holy mass.”
    The Newman Catholic Fellowship is a student organization for Catholic students that holds meetings, discussion groups, and Mass.
  2. Fish Interfaith Center | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Orange Campus One University Drive Orange, CA 92866”
    The Fish Interfaith Center is on Chapman's Orange campus at One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866.
    “Orange Campus One University Drive Orange, CA 92866”
    The Fish Interfaith Center is on Chapman's Orange campus at One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866.
  3. About Fish Interfaith Center | Chapman Universitychapman.edu/campus-life/fish-interfaith-center/about/index.aspx · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Fish Interfaith Center is located in the heart of the campus”
    The Fish Interfaith Center is located in the heart of the campus.
    “A designated space for worship, reflection, and special events for the Chapman community of all religious beliefs, including those who identify as atheist or agnostic.”
    The Wallace All Faiths Chapel in the Fish Interfaith Center is a space for worship for the whole community of all faiths.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Rafael Luevano (Chaplain (Catholic Mass)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
90 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.82%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.92%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,357 · ACT 29.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.12 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$21,557

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
7,874
Total students9,961
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$46,555
Cost of attendance (per year)$83,146
Median federal debt at graduation$20,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
82%
First-year retention92%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$70,070
Admission rate65%
Students receiving Pell grants19%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1357
SAT reading & writing630–720
SAT math630–720
ACT composite28–31
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 60 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Christ Cathedral

Source: rcbo.org, rcbo.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 111948
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
  • Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Chapman University a Catholic college?
No. Chapman University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Newman Catholic Fellowship.
What is Chapman University’s Catholic Life Score?
72 out of 100 (grade C). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Chapman University?
Mass is listed at Fish Interfaith Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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