Pepperdine vs. Bentley

Pepperdine University and Bentley University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Pepperdine University
Bentley University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bentley (45.1% admitted vs 62.9%). Typical SAT 1360 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bentley. Average net price is $45,802 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Bentley 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Bentley $87,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Pepperdine University Bentley University
Acceptance rate
Bentley more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Bentley45.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pepperdine higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Bentley1280-1430
Average net price
Bentley $20,783 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Bentley$45,802
In-state tuition
Bentley $8,918 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Bentley$61,000
Out-of-state tuition
Bentley $8,918 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Bentley$61,000
Graduation rate
Bentley +7 pts
Pepperdine81%
Bentley88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bentley +$15,500
Pepperdine$71,700
Bentley$87,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Pepperdine and Bentley with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Pepperdine Check my chances at Bentley
  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Bentley 11,012
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Bentley 4,961
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Bentley 45.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Bentley 21.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Bentley 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Bentley 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Bentley 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Bentley A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Bentley Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Bentley Low
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Bentley 1280-1430
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Bentley 28-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Bentley Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Bentley Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Bentley $61,000
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Bentley $20,140
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Bentley $45,802
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Bentley $33,673
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Bentley 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Bentley $87,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Bentley 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Bentley $26,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Bentley $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Bentley 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Bentley
    • Business (83%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
    • Mathematics (1%)
    • General Studies (1%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Bentley Waltham, MA
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Bentley Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Bentley 5,333
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Bentley Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Bentley #107

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Bentley University in Waltham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Bentley University is in Waltham, MA (Small City setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Bentley University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bentley University are 7.4% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,140 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Pepperdine than at Bentley University (about $8,918 more per year; $69,918 vs. $61,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Bentley University (91% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 25.1% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($33,673 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Pepperdine than at Bentley (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Bentley.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Bentley Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bentley average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Pepperdine (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 21.3% at Bentley.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,500).
  • Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($268 vs. $274).
  • More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 75%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Pepperdine University
Bentley University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges