Pepperdine vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Pepperdine vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf College than Pepperdine ($26,756 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 37.3% lower than at Pepperdine University ($13,630 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $10,158 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Pepperdine than at St Olaf College (about $10,158 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($45,098 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 20 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at St Olaf (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Pepperdine vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.