Pepperdine vs. Seton Hall University

Deciding between Pepperdine University and Seton Hall University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Pepperdine University
Seton Hall University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Seton Hall University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Seton Hall University 9,571
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Seton Hall University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Seton Hall University #216
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Pepperdine Churches of Christ
  • Seton Hall University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Pepperdine Non-profit
  • Seton Hall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Pepperdine
  • Seton Hall University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Seton Hall University $53,170
  • Room & Board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Seton Hall University $17,970
  • Average Net Price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Seton Hall University $33,896
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Seton Hall University $34,943
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Seton Hall University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Seton Hall University 24,776
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Seton Hall University 18,152
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Seton Hall University 73.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Seton Hall University 8.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Seton Hall University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Seton Hall University 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Seton Hall University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Seton Hall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Seton Hall University Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Seton Hall University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Pepperdine 29/32
  • Seton Hall University 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Pepperdine 1290/1450
  • Seton Hall University 1220/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Seton Hall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Seton Hall University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Seton Hall University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Seton Hall University 66%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Seton Hall University $62,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Seton Hall University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Seton Hall University $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Pepperdine 33%
  • Seton Hall University 42%
  • % Women
  • Pepperdine 67%
  • Seton Hall University 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Pepperdine High
  • Seton Hall University High
  • HBCU
  • Pepperdine No
  • Seton Hall University No
  • % White
  • Pepperdine 47%
  • Seton Hall University 51%
  • % Asian
  • Pepperdine 12%
  • Seton Hall University 9%
  • % Black
  • Pepperdine 6%
  • Seton Hall University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • Pepperdine 16%
  • Seton Hall University 19%
  • % Native American
  • Pepperdine 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Pepperdine 0%
  • Seton Hall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Pepperdine 5%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % International
  • Pepperdine 10%
  • Seton Hall University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Pepperdine 4%
  • Seton Hall University 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Pepperdine 51%
  • Seton Hall University 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Pepperdine 38%
  • Seton Hall University 27%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Pepperdine Yes
  • Seton Hall University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Pepperdine No
  • Seton Hall University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Pepperdine Yes
  • Seton Hall University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Pepperdine Yes
  • Seton Hall University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Pepperdine No
  • Seton Hall University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seton Hall University is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (9,571 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Seton Hall University is in South Orange, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seton Hall University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Seton Hall University 14:1.

Pepperdine vs. Seton Hall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Seton Hall University? 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 Seton Hall University than Pepperdine ($33,896 vs. $66,585).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seton Hall University are 17.4% lower than at Pepperdine University ($17,970 vs. $21,750).
  • Pepperdine University is 31.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seton Hall University (about $16,748 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Seton Hall University (about $16,748 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $53,170.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seton Hall University than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seton Hall University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($34,943 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Seton Hall University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or Seton Hall University? 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 Seton Hall University and Pepperdine.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 60 points higher than at Seton Hall University (1310).
  • Incoming Pepperdine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Seton Hall University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Seton Hall University 1220/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Seton Hall University 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Seton Hall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Seton Hall University Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Seton Hall University (3.64).
  • Seton Hall University has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 8.8% at Seton Hall University.

Pepperdine vs. Seton Hall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Seton Hall University? 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 Seton Hall University's (66%).
  • Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Seton Hall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $62,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seton Hall University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Seton Hall University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($258 vs. $268).
  • More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hall University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

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.