Pepperdine vs. Pacific

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Pacific University 10:1.

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Pacific? 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 Pacific University than Pepperdine ($35,235 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 28.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,620 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific (about $13,544 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $56,374.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Pepperdine than at Pacific University (about $13,544 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $56,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at Pepperdine University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($37,139 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 300 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Pacific University 900/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Pacific University 18/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Pacific - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Pacific (3.73).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Pacific? 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 Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $24,900 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $156 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.