Pepperdine vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Pepperdine vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Emerson? 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 Emerson College than Pepperdine ($53,432 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 3.8% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,920 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 22.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $12,862 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Emerson College (about $12,862 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Emerson College (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($26,997 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or Emerson? 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 Emerson and Pepperdine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 20 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Pepperdine vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Emerson? 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).

• The graduation rate at Pepperdine is the same as at Emerson College (81% vs. 81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Emerson 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.