Loyola Marymount vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola Marymount University is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (10,179 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount University than Pepperdine ($59,926 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pepperdine University are 1.3% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($21,750 vs. $22,026).
• Pepperdine University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola Marymount (about $7,561 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Pepperdine than at Loyola Marymount University (about $7,561 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $62,357.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($26,927 vs. $24,318).

Loyola Marymount vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 20 points higher than at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Pepperdine (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Loyola Marymount vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola Marymount University graduates have a $4,332 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($21,668 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Loyola Marymount graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($224 vs. $268).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

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.