Oxy vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, 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 Oxy based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Oxy vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Occidental College than Pepperdine ($48,400 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 11.5% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,252 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $3,644 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Occidental College (about $3,644 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Occidental College (91% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($36,400 vs. $26,927).

Oxy vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 80 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Oxy vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $2,348 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($23,652 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.