Pepperdine vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Miami is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (19,852 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Miami is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; University of Miami 11:1.

Pepperdine vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Miami? 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 Miami than Pepperdine ($45,397 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pepperdine University are 8.6% lower than at University of Miami ($21,750 vs. $23,790).
• Pepperdine University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Miami (about $7,302 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at Pepperdine than at University of Miami (about $7,302 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of Miami (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 52.2% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($40,992 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Miami Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 30 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Miami 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; University of Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Miami (3.7).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 24.3% at Miami.

Pepperdine vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Miami? 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 Miami's (78%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Miami graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $70,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $6,154 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($19,846 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($205 vs. $268).
• More Miami 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.