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Colleges / CA / Malibu
Pepperdine University logo

Pepperdine University

Private nonprofit Malibu, CA · Suburban · Far West · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
84%
Graduation Rate
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$58,098
Net Price
63%
Acceptance Rate

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Overview

Students at Pepperdine University can expect to earn an average of $82,939 a decade after graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's emphasis on high-demand fields such as Business, Communications, and Psychology. With a graduation rate of 84%, many students successfully complete their degrees and enter the workforce with solid earning prospects.

The Opportunity Insights data for Pepperdine is limited, but the university's environment supports upward mobility. The 20% Pell Grant rate indicates that a portion of students comes from low-income backgrounds. While specific mobility rates are not available, graduates typically enter fields that contribute positively to economic advancement.

Financial considerations are crucial for prospective students. The net price of attending Pepperdine stands at $58,098, while the median debt for graduates is $23,510. Students who thrive here tend to be driven, particularly in fields like Business and the Arts, where creativity and leadership skills are essential.

Rankings

How Pepperdine Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation84%Earnings 10yr$83KNet Price$58KRetention88%Median Debt$24KPell Grant Rate20%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$51K$0-30K$43K$30-48K$51K$48-75K$65K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%431.5%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%4309.9%MOBILITY185.98%

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$69,918
Out-of-State
$58,098
Avg Net Price
$23,510
Median Debt
20%
Pell Grant Rate
37%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$50,560
Family Income $0–$30K
$42,674
Family Income $30K–$48K
$51,063
Family Income $48K–$75K
$65,081
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$64,934
6 Years After Entry
$72,056
8 Years
$82,939
10 Years
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
78%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$64,934 6yr $72,056 8yr $82,939 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

185.98%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
4309.9%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$124,100
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.86
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
-0.01
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

0.385%
Inventor Rate
26
Total Patents
238
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 63%
Retention Rate 88%
SAT Average 1384
ACT Midpoint 28
SAT Range 1290–1450
ACT Range 29–32
Full-Time Faculty 47%
Faculty Salary (mo) $14,314
Diversity Index 0.74
First-Gen Students 18%

Top Programs

Business & Marketing 29%
Communications 12%
Psychology 11%
Social Sciences 11%
Visual & Performing Arts 6%
Biology & Biomedical 6%
English & Literature 2%
Physical Sciences 1%