Pepperdine vs. Pacific

Should I go to Pepperdine University or Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pepperdine or Pacific is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Loyola Marymount Chapman USD Oxy SCU USC UCLA UCSB Westmont College PLNU SMU UCI
Pepperdine University vs. Pacific University comparison
Pepperdine University Pacific University College 3 College 4
Pepperdine University Pacific University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Pepperdine Pacific
Location Malibu, CA Forest Grove, OR
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 10,030 3,559
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #127 #354
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pepperdine.edu pacificu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pepperdine Pacific
Tuition (In State) $62,390 $50,884
Tuition (Out of State) $62,390 $50,884
Room & Board $18,560 $14,408
Avg Net Price $47,804 $33,472
Avg Grant Aid $32,348 $33,340
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

Pepperdine Pacific
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,466 2,759
Admitted 5,585 2,546
Acceptance Rate 48.7% 92.3%
Enrolled % 16.9% 15.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 20/26
SAT Range 1285/1480 1010/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Aug 25, 2025

Academics

Pepperdine Pacific
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Pepperdine Pacific
Graduation Rate 81% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $71,700 $46,800
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,156
Median Loan Payment $268 $270

Diversity

Pepperdine Pacific
% Men 33% 32%
% Women 67% 68%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 52%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 16% 13%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 3%
% Two or More Races 5% 12%
% International 10% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

Pepperdine Pacific
% In-State 45% 38%
% Out-of-State 43% 61%

Campus

Pepperdine Pacific
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pepperdine University is larger than than Pacific based on total student enrollment (10,030 students vs. 3,559 students)

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Pacific?

  • Pepperdine University is 22.6% more expensive to attend than Pacific for in-state tuition ($62,390.00 vs. $50,884.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.6% higher at Pepperdine than Pacific University ($62,390.00 vs. $50,884.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific University than Pepperdine ($33,472 vs. $47,804)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 28.8% lower than costs at Pepperdine University ($14,408 vs. $18,560)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific University than Pepperdine University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 3.1% larger than aid received Pepperdine University ($33,340 vs. $32,348)

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or Pacific? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Pacific or Pepperdine .

  • The average SAT score at Pepperdine University (1226) is 136 points higher than at Pacific (1090)
  • Incoming Pepperdine students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Pacific (24)
  • 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 (92.3%) than Pepperdine (48.7%)

Pepperdine vs. Pacific Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pepperdine or Pacific? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Pacific and Pepperdine.

  • The graduation rate at Pepperdine is higher than Pacific University (81% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Pepperdine University earn on average $24,900 more per year than Pacific graduates after ten years. ($71,700 vs. $46,800)
  • Pepperdine University students graduate with a $156 lower median federal student loan debt than Pacific graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,156)
  • Pepperdine graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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/