Pepperdine vs. Clarkson

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

Pepperdine University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pepperdine (62.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Pepperdine more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pepperdine higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $34,179 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $10,520 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $10,520 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +9 pts
Pepperdine81%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$900
Pepperdine$71,700
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 16.1% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,252 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at Pepperdine than at Clarkson University (about $10,520 more per year; $69,918 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 72.8% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($46,528 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Pepperdine than at Clarkson (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Pepperdine (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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