Pepperdine vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Pepperdine vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or Whitman 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 Whitman College than Pepperdine ($37,633 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 30.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,080 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $5,868 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Pepperdine than at Whitman College (about $5,868 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Pepperdine University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($40,489 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 30 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Whitman College 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; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Pepperdine vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and Whitman 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($180 vs. $268).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.