Pepperdine vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Providence College 11:1.

Pepperdine vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Providence? 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 Providence College than Pepperdine ($48,618 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 18% lower than at Pepperdine University ($17,840 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $6,368 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Pepperdine than at Providence College (about $6,368 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Providence College (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 18.4% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($31,873 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 50 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Providence (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Pepperdine vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Providence? 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Providence 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.