Pepperdine vs. Pacific

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

Pepperdine University
Pacific University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pepperdine (62.9% admitted vs 89.6%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pacific. Average net price is $35,235 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Pacific 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Pacific $46,800 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Pacific University
Acceptance rate
Pepperdine more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Pacific89.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pepperdine higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Pacific900-1240
Average net price
Pacific $31,350 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Pacific$35,235
In-state tuition
Pacific $13,544 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Pacific$56,374
Out-of-state tuition
Pacific $13,544 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Pacific$56,374
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +20 pts
Pepperdine81%
Pacific61%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$24,900
Pepperdine$71,700
Pacific$46,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Pacific 2,988
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Pacific 2,676
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Pacific 89.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Pacific 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Pacific 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Pacific 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Pacific 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Pacific A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Pacific Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Pacific
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Pacific 900-1240
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Pacific 18-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Pacific Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Pacific Aug 25, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Pacific $56,374
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Pacific $56,374
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Pacific $15,620
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Pacific $35,235
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Pacific $37,139
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Pacific 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Pacific 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Pacific $46,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Pacific 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Pacific $26,156
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Pacific $270
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Pacific 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Pacific
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Pacific Forest Grove, OR
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Pacific Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Pacific 3,427
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Pacific Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Pacific #427

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 3,427 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Pacific University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 28.2% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,620 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Pepperdine than at Pacific University (about $13,544 more per year; $69,918 vs. $56,374).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at Pepperdine University (98% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($37,139 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Pepperdine than at Pacific (30 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Pacific.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pepperdine average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Pacific (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pepperdine University graduates have a $156 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,156).
  • Among borrowers, Pepperdine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($268 vs. $270).
  • More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation (78% 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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