Pepperdine vs. Whitman College

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

Pepperdine University
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Whitman College (38.1% admitted vs 62.9%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Whitman College. Average net price is $37,633 vs $66,585 at Pepperdine.
  • Graduation: Pepperdine 81% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pepperdine $71,700 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Pepperdine University Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Whitman College more selective
Pepperdine62.9%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Whitman College higher
Pepperdine1290-1450
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
Whitman College $28,952 less
Pepperdine$66,585
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
Whitman College $5,868 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
Whitman College $5,868 less
Pepperdine$69,918
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Whitman College +5 pts
Pepperdine81%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pepperdine +$14,800
Pepperdine$71,700
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pepperdine 11,526
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • Pepperdine 7,245
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pepperdine 62.9%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pepperdine 11.6%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pepperdine 1370
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pepperdine 30
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pepperdine 3.74
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pepperdine A-
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pepperdine Very High
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Pepperdine Low
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • Pepperdine 1290-1450
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Pepperdine 29-32
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Pepperdine Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pepperdine $69,918
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • Pepperdine $21,750
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • Pepperdine $66,585
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • Pepperdine $26,927
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pepperdine 91%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pepperdine 81%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pepperdine $71,700
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pepperdine 75%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pepperdine $26,000
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Pepperdine $268
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pepperdine 12:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pepperdine
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (22%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Pepperdine Malibu, CA
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • Pepperdine Rural Fringe
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Pepperdine 8,976
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • Pepperdine Private 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pepperdine #162
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 30.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($15,080 vs. $21,750).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Pepperdine than at Whitman College (about $5,868 more per year; $69,918 vs. $64,050).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Pepperdine University (94% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 50.4% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($40,489 vs. $26,927).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Whitman College than at Pepperdine (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pepperdine and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pepperdine average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Whitman College (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($17,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($180 vs. $268).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation (93% 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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