Pepperdine vs. DU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with University of Denver in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; University of Denver 9:1.

Pepperdine vs. DU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or DU? 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 University of Denver than Pepperdine ($45,451 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 18.3% lower than at Pepperdine University ($17,759 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DU (about $8,520 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Pepperdine than at University of Denver (about $8,520 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $61,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Pepperdine University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 26.1% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($33,955 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. DU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 40 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at DU (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; University of Denver 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; University of Denver 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; DU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; DU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at DU (3.72).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 9.1% at DU.

Pepperdine vs. DU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and DU? 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 University of Denver's (78%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $2,301 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 72%)

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.