Claremont McKenna vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA with Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna College than Pepperdine ($33,895 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 4.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,830 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claremont McKenna (about $1,938 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Pepperdine than at Claremont McKenna College (about $1,938 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $67,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Claremont McKenna College (91% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 95.4% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($52,605 vs. $26,927).

Claremont McKenna vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 150 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Claremont McKenna vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Pepperdine graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $71,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $11,033 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($14,967 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($154 vs. $268).

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.