Pepperdine vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Pepperdine vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or USC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Southern California than Pepperdine ($43,412 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 8.4% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,931 vs. $21,750).
• University of Southern California is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pepperdine (about $2,179 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $69,918.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at USC than at Pepperdine University (about $2,179 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $69,918.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of Southern California (91% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 74.2% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($46,897 vs. $26,927).

Pepperdine vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine or USC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USC and Pepperdine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 130 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming USC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 43.3% at USC.

Pepperdine vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine and USC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Pepperdine graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $71,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $3,625 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($22,375 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($231 vs. $268).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.