Pepperdine vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Pepperdine vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than Pepperdine ($32,172 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 22% lower than at Pepperdine University ($16,960 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $16,334 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Westmont College (about $16,334 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($38,956 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 20 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Pepperdine vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $877 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($25,123 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($259 vs. $268).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.