Cal State Long Beach vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Pepperdine? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Long Beach than Pepperdine ($10,607 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 28.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,612 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 851.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $62,568 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 250.5% higher at Pepperdine than at California State University Long Beach (about $49,968 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at California State University Long Beach (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 128.3% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($26,927 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or Pepperdine? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pepperdine and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 240 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Pepperdine? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $20,600 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($15,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($155 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.