Pepperdine vs. Lewis and Clark

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Lewis and Clark based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 3,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Lewis & Clark College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Lewis & Clark College 12:1.

Pepperdine vs. Lewis and Clark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Lewis and Clark? 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 Lewis & Clark College than Pepperdine ($37,999 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis & Clark College are 28.1% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,648 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lewis and Clark (about $5,090 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Pepperdine than at Lewis & Clark College (about $5,090 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,828.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 56.1% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($42,021 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Lewis and Clark Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 70 points higher than at Lewis and Clark (1300).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Lewis and Clark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Lewis & Clark College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Lewis and Clark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Lewis and Clark has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 9.7% at Lewis and Clark.

Pepperdine vs. Lewis and Clark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Lewis and Clark? 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 Lewis & Clark College's (73%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $20,800 more per year than Lewis and Clark graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis & Clark College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lewis and Clark graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Lewis and Clark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.