Pepperdine vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Pepperdine vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Pepperdine ($39,534 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 25.8% lower than at Pepperdine University ($16,142 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $10,644 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Pepperdine than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $10,644 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Pepperdine University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($35,077 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 10 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Pepperdine vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.