Pepperdine vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pepperdine vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or USF? 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 Francisco than Pepperdine ($45,443 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 9.1% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,764 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $9,426 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at Pepperdine than at University of San Francisco (about $9,426 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Pepperdine University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 29% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($34,723 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 80 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at USF (3.57).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 6% at USF.

Pepperdine vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and USF? 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 Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Francisco graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USF 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 USF students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.