Pepperdine vs. SMU

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

Pepperdine University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pepperdine (62.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: SMU. Average net price is $48,179 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Pepperdine more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
SMU $18,406 less
Pepperdine$66,585
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $2,878 less
Pepperdine$69,918
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $2,878 less
Pepperdine$69,918
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +6 pts
Pepperdine81%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$1,300
Pepperdine$71,700
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 8,976 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Methodist University are 12.3% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,064 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Pepperdine than at Southern Methodist University (about $2,878 more per year; $69,918 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Southern Methodist University (91% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Methodist University students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($37,520 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at Pepperdine (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pepperdine average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More SMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation (76% 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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