Caltech vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Caltech vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Pepperdine? 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 California Institute of Technology than Pepperdine ($14,513 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 6.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,283 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Caltech (about $4,020 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.1% higher at Pepperdine than at California Institute of Technology (about $4,020 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $65,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at California Institute of Technology (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 168.8% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($72,373 vs. $26,927).

Caltech vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 190 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Caltech vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Pepperdine? 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Pepperdine graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $71,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $11,650 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($14,350 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($148 vs. $268).

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.