Head-to-Head Comparison
Fairfield University vs Pepperdine University
- Fairfield Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 10
- Pepperdine Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Fairfield University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Pepperdine University achieves a higher graduation rate (84% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $58,098 compared to Fairfield University's $48,095. Students who choose Fairfield University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $88,794 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Fairfield
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,794 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $48,095, roughly $10,003 a year less
- More selective: Admits 33% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Pepperdine
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,510, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Fairfield graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (41% of degrees); Pepperdine in Business & Marketing (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Fairfield University over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $88,794 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Fairfield University over Pepperdine University. Net price $48,095 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over Fairfield University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Fairfield University and Pepperdine University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Fairfield University is the harder admit. It takes 33% of applicants, while Pepperdine University takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,335 to 1,384.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Fairfield University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Fairfield University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $48,095, about $10,003 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Pepperdine University also borrow less: median debt of $23,510, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $40,012 before any change in aid. Choosing Fairfield University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Fairfield University graduates report median earnings of $88,794, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Pepperdine University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Pepperdine University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Fairfield University, it is 1.6%. Pepperdine University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Pepperdine University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Fairfield University to keep costs and debt down; pick Pepperdine University if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Fairfield University is harder to get into, with a 33% admit rate, but Pepperdine University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Fairfield University concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, while Pepperdine University leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Fairfield University's enrollment of 5,373 far exceeds Pepperdine University's 3,553.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $58,098 runs well above Fairfield University's $48,095.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Fairfield holds onto its admits more tightly: 24% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Pepperdine — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit
Fairfield University has an impressive graduation rate of 84%, indicating that most students successfully complete their degrees. This high rate suggests a strong support system and engaged faculty, which helps students navigate their academic journey.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Fairfield's graduates earn a median income of $88,794 ten years after enrollment. This figure points to the university’s effectiveness in preparing students for the job market, particularly in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Communications. While the Pell Grant rate stands at 7%, indicating limited access for low-income students, the potential for upward mobility remains significant for those who do enroll.
The cost of attending Fairfield is notable, with a net price of $48,095 and a median debt of $26,000. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing careers in high-demand sectors, leveraging the university's strong programs in Business and Health Professions. Graduates leave with solid earning potential, which helps to mitigate the financial burden of their education.
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit
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 They Appear On
Fairfield University is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 41% of Fairfield's student body and 23% of Pepperdine's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Fairfield) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine).
The two schools feed different job markets. Fairfield University is strongest in Health Professions, while Pepperdine University concentrates in Social Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Fairfield
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Fairfield University or Pepperdine University?
Fairfield University is harder to get into, admitting 33% of applicants compared with 63% at Pepperdine University.
Which is more affordable, Fairfield University or Pepperdine University?
Fairfield University is more affordable, with an average net price of $48,095 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Fairfield University or Pepperdine University graduates earn more?
Fairfield University graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,794 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Fairfield University or Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 84%.
Fairfield University vs Pepperdine University: which is better for social mobility?
Pepperdine University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Fairfield University or Pepperdine University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Fairfield University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Pepperdine University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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