Pepperdine vs. BYU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 8,976 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Pepperdine vs. BYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or BYU? 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 Brigham Young University than Pepperdine ($16,694 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 52.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($10,396 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 945.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $63,230 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 945.4% higher at Pepperdine than at Brigham Young University (about $63,230 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Brigham Young University (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 342.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($26,927 vs. $6,088).

Pepperdine vs. BYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or BYU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU and Pepperdine.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is the same as at BYU (1370).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at BYU (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Brigham Young University 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Pepperdine University 29/32; Brigham Young University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; BYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman BYU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• BYU has a higher acceptance rate (67.8%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Pepperdine vs. BYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and BYU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Brigham Young University's (78%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than BYU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $69,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($113 vs. $268).
• More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.