Pepperdine vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Pepperdine vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or RPI? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Pepperdine ($38,887 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 16.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,120 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $5,837 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at Pepperdine than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $5,837 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Pepperdine University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($43,517 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 70 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Pepperdine vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and RPI? 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Pepperdine graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $71,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($268 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.