Pepperdine vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Pepperdine vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas than Pepperdine ($31,250 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 31.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($14,969 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 28.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $15,520 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Pepperdine than at University of St Thomas (about $15,520 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Pepperdine University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($35,587 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas and Pepperdine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 30 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1340).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Pepperdine vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than University of St Thomas graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas and Pepperdine graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of St Thomas and Pepperdine graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.