Pepperdine vs. Westmont College

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

Pepperdine University
Westmont College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pepperdine (62.9% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Westmont College. Average net price is $32,172 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Westmont College 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Westmont College $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Westmont College
Acceptance rate
Pepperdine more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Westmont College77%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pepperdine higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Westmont College1240-1450
Average net price
Westmont College $34,413 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Westmont College$32,172
In-state tuition
Westmont College $16,334 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Westmont College$53,584
Out-of-state tuition
Westmont College $16,334 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Westmont College$53,584
Graduation rate
Pepperdine +4 pts
Pepperdine81%
Westmont College77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$17,100
Pepperdine$71,700
Westmont College$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Westmont College 2,479
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Westmont College 1,910
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Westmont College 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Westmont College 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Westmont College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Westmont College 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Westmont College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Westmont College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Westmont College
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Westmont College 1240-1450
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Westmont College 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Westmont College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Westmont College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Westmont College $16,960
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Westmont College $32,172
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Westmont College $38,956
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Westmont College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Westmont College $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Westmont College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Westmont College $25,123
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Westmont College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Westmont College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Westmont College
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Westmont College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Westmont College 1,310
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Westmont College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Westmont College #154

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 22% lower than at Pepperdine University ($16,960 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Westmont College (about $16,334 more per year; $69,918 vs. $53,584).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Pepperdine University (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($38,956 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Pepperdine than at Westmont College (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Westmont College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pepperdine average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Westmont College (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $877 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($25,123 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($259 vs. $268).
  • More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation (86% 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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