Pepperdine vs. BYU

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

Pepperdine University
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pepperdine (62.9% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
Pepperdine more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BYU higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $49,891 less
Pepperdine$66,585
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $63,230 less
Pepperdine$69,918
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $63,230 less
Pepperdine$69,918
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +3 pts
Pepperdine81%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$2,600
Pepperdine$71,700
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 8,976 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 52.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($10,396 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 945.4% higher at Pepperdine than at Brigham Young University (about $63,230 more per year; $69,918 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Brigham Young University (91% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 342.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($26,927 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at BYU (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Pepperdine (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($113 vs. $268).
  • More BYU 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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