Pepperdine vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Diego is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pepperdine vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or USD? 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 San Diego than Pepperdine ($37,918 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Diego are 8.4% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,918 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $10,432 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Pepperdine than at University of San Diego (about $10,432 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of San Diego (91% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 52.1% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($40,965 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 12.4% at USD.

Pepperdine vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and USD? 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 San Diego's (75%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than USD 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 San Diego graduates have a $3,096 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($22,904 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($236 vs. $268).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.