Pepperdine vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Pepperdine vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Pomona? 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 Pomona College than Pepperdine ($19,938 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pomona College are 1.6% lower than at Pepperdine University ($21,394 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $4,498 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Pepperdine than at Pomona College (about $4,498 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Pomona College (91% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 142.7% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($65,362 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 160 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Pepperdine vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Pomona? 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).

• Pomona College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($113 vs. $268).

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.