Pepperdine vs. Emerson
Pepperdine University and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Pepperdine University
Emerson College
At a glance
- Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 62.9%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1370.
- Cheaper after aid: Emerson. Average net price is $53,432 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
- Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Emerson 81%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pepperdine higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Emerson $13,153 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $12,862 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $12,862 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +0 pts
Pepperdine81%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$22,500
Pepperdine$71,700
Emerson$49,200
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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Pepperdine My Chances
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Emerson My Chances
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- Applied
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Pepperdine 11,526
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Emerson 10,378
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- Admitted
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Pepperdine 7,245
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Emerson 5,325
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- Acceptance rate
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Pepperdine 62.9%
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Emerson 51.3%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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Pepperdine 11.6%
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Emerson 15.5%
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- Typical SAT score
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Pepperdine 1370
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Emerson 1350
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- Typical ACT score
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Pepperdine 30
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Emerson 30
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- Average high school GPA
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Pepperdine 3.74
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Emerson 3.73
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- Typical high school grades
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Pepperdine A-
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Emerson A-
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- Admissions standards
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Pepperdine Very High
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Emerson Very High
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- Applicant competition
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Pepperdine Low
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Emerson Low
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- SAT range
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Pepperdine 1290-1450
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Emerson 1270-1420
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- ACT range
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Pepperdine 29-32
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Emerson 29-32
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- Submit test scores
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Pepperdine Test optional
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Emerson Test optional
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- Application deadline
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Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
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Emerson Feb 20, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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Pepperdine $69,918
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Emerson $57,056
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- Tuition (out of state)
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Pepperdine $69,918
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Emerson $57,056
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- Room & board
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Pepperdine $21,750
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Emerson $20,920
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- Average net price
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Pepperdine $66,585
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Emerson $53,432
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- Average grant aid
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Pepperdine $26,927
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Emerson $26,997
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- % receiving grant aid
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Pepperdine 91%
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Emerson 77%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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Pepperdine 81%
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Emerson 81%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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Pepperdine $71,700
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Emerson $49,200
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- Making student loan payments
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Pepperdine 75%
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Emerson 80%
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- Median student loan debt
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Pepperdine $26,000
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Emerson $23,500
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- Median loan payment
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Pepperdine $268
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Emerson $242
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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Pepperdine 12:1
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Emerson 14:1
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- Popular majors
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Pepperdine
- Business (27%)
- Communication (22%)
- Social Sciences (10%)
- General Studies (8%)
- Psychology (5%)
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Emerson
- Communication (33%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
- English and Literature (19%)
- Business (14%)
- Health Professions (2%)
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School basics
- School
- Pepperdine Pepperdine University
- Emerson Emerson College
- Location
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Pepperdine Malibu, CA
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Emerson Boston, MA
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- Setting
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Pepperdine Rural Fringe
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Emerson Large City
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- Total enrollment
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Pepperdine 8,976
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Emerson 5,263
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- Type
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Pepperdine Private 4 Year
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Emerson Private 4 Year
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- National ranking
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Pepperdine #162
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Emerson #208
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Comparable Facts
Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
Pepperdine University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 5,263 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
- Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Emerson College 14:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 3.8% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,920 vs. $21,750).
- Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Emerson College (about $12,862 more per year; $69,918 vs. $57,056).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Emerson College (91% vs. 77%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($26,997 vs. $26,927).
Admissions details
- Incoming Pepperdine students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Emerson.
- Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at Pepperdine average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 15.5% at Emerson.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
- Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($242 vs. $268).
- More Emerson 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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