Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Pepperdine University
- Georgetown Wins
- 30
- Tied
- 14
- Pepperdine Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgetown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,815 vs Pepperdine University's $58,098, Georgetown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Georgetown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,815, roughly $17,283 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Pepperdine
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% 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 Georgetown University over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Georgetown University over Pepperdine University. Net price $40,815 vs $58,098.
Pick Georgetown University over Pepperdine University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgetown University over Pepperdine University. 95% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Pepperdine University are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Pepperdine University takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,384.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown 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, Georgetown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,815, about $17,283 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $23,510.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $69,132 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgetown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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.
Finishing the degree
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Pepperdine University, it is 1.9%. Pepperdine University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown 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 Georgetown University to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Legal Studies, while Pepperdine University leans toward Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Pepperdine University's 3,553.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $58,098 runs well above Georgetown University's $40,815.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,510, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Pepperdine — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Pepperdine offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Pepperdine, where only about 28% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
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
Georgetown University and Pepperdine University appear together in 3 rankings. On the Best MBA Programs for Leadership, Georgetown University ranks #3 — Georgetown University outranks Pepperdine University by 16 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while Pepperdine leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Legal Studies, Biology & Biomedical, while Pepperdine University concentrates in Communications, Psychology. 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.
Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or Pepperdine University?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 63% at Pepperdine University.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Pepperdine University?
Georgetown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,815 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Georgetown University or Pepperdine University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Pepperdine University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 84%.
Georgetown University vs Pepperdine University: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Pepperdine University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgetown University if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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