Azusa Pacific University vs. Pepperdine

Should I go to Azusa Pacific University or Pepperdine University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Azusa Pacific University or Pepperdine is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Azusa Pacific University vs. Pepperdine University comparison
Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine University College 3 College 4
Pepperdine University
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Overview

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Location Azusa, CA Malibu, CA
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,487 9,545
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #230 #143
Religious Affiliation Undenominational Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu pepperdine.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Tuition (In State) $42,900 $65,990
Tuition (Out of State) $42,900 $65,990
Room & Board $9,724 $23,270
Avg Net Price $26,117 $52,216
Avg Grant Aid $28,652 $32,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,850 12,457
Admitted 3,060 6,210
Acceptance Rate 79.5% 49.9%
Enrolled % 13.7% 11.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.74
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/26 26/32
SAT Range 994/1314 1250/1450
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Graduation Rate 63% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $71,700
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $268

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
% Men 15% 18%
% Women 39% 44%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 47%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 29% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 5%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
% In-State 66% 55%
% Out-of-State 15% 34%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University Pepperdine
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pepperdine University is larger than than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (9,545 students vs. 6,487 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or Pepperdine?

  • Pepperdine University is 53.8% more expensive to attend than Azusa Pacific University for in-state tuition ($65,990.00 vs. $42,900.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.8% higher at Pepperdine than Azusa Pacific University ($65,990.00 vs. $42,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Azusa Pacific University than Pepperdine ($26,117 vs. $52,216)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 139.3% lower than costs at Pepperdine University ($9,724 vs. $23,270)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 15.1% larger than aid received Azusa Pacific University ($32,986 vs. $28,652)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Pepperdine Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or Pepperdine? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Pepperdine or Azusa Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at Pepperdine University (1226) is 146 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1080)
  • Incoming Pepperdine students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Azusa Pacific University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Azusa Pacific University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.74) as students at Pepperdine (3.74)
  • Azusa Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (79.5%) than Pepperdine (49.9%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University or Pepperdine? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Pepperdine and Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at Pepperdine is higher than Azusa Pacific University (81% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Pepperdine University earn on average $17,500 more per year than Azusa Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($71,700 vs. $54,200)
  • Azusa Pacific University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Pepperdine graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Azusa Pacific University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Pepperdine graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Azusa Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/