Pepperdine vs. Pomona

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

Pepperdine University
Pomona College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 62.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pomona. Average net price is $19,938 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Pomona 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Pomona $70,500 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Pomona College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Pomona7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Pomona1490-1560
Average net price
Pomona $46,647 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Pomona$19,938
In-state tuition
Pomona $4,498 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Pomona$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $4,498 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Pomona$65,420
Graduation rate
Pomona +14 pts
Pepperdine81%
Pomona95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$1,200
Pepperdine$71,700
Pomona$70,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Pomona 868
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Pomona 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Pomona 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Pomona A
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Pomona Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Pomona Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Pomona $65,362
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Pomona 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Pomona 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Pomona -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Pomona $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Pomona #20

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pepperdine University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pomona College are 1.6% lower than at Pepperdine University ($21,394 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Pepperdine than at Pomona College (about $4,498 more per year; $69,918 vs. $65,420).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Pomona College (91% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 142.7% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($65,362 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Pomona than at Pepperdine (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Pomona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona 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. 50.2% at Pomona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($113 vs. $268).

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

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