Head-to-Head Comparison
Loyola University Maryland vs Pepperdine University
- Loyola Maryland Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 13
- Pepperdine Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Loyola University Maryland offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Pepperdine University achieves a higher graduation rate (84% vs 80%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $58,098 compared to Loyola University Maryland's $30,574. Students who choose Loyola University Maryland benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,652 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Loyola Maryland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $30,574, roughly $27,524 a year less
Pepperdine
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment, 0% more than Loyola University Maryland
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- 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
- More selective: Admits 63% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Loyola Maryland graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (32% 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 Pepperdine University over Loyola University Maryland. Median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment vs $82,652.
Pick Loyola University Maryland over Pepperdine University. Net price $30,574 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over Loyola University Maryland. 1.9% mobility rate vs 0.7%.
Pick Pepperdine University over Loyola University Maryland. 84% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Loyola University Maryland and Pepperdine University are close on paper, but Pepperdine University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Pepperdine University is the harder admit. It takes 63% of applicants, while Loyola University Maryland takes 75%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,290 to 1,384.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Pepperdine 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, Loyola University Maryland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $30,574, about $27,524 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Pepperdine University also borrow less: median debt of $23,510, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $110,096 before any change in aid. Choosing Loyola University Maryland leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Pepperdine University graduates report median earnings of $82,939, compared with $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Pepperdine University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.28x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 0% 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
Pepperdine University graduates a larger share of its students, 84% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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
Pepperdine University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Loyola University Maryland, it is 0.7%. Pepperdine University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.7%.
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 Loyola University Maryland to keep costs and debt down; pick Pepperdine University for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Loyola University Maryland saves about $27,524 a year, yet Pepperdine University graduates earn $287 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Loyola University Maryland concentrates enrollment in Psychology, while Pepperdine University leans toward Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Loyola Maryland competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $58,098 runs well above Loyola University Maryland's $30,574.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Pepperdine holds onto its admits more tightly: 12% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Loyola Maryland — 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
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 3,900 students, Loyola University Maryland caters to those seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. The 75% acceptance rate suggests that the school aims to welcome a diverse group of students, which contributes to a vibrant campus life. Popular areas of study include Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing students to explore various fields while preparing for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect a solid financial outlook, with a median earnings figure of $82,652 after ten years. This is encouraging and indicates that many graduates find good opportunities in their chosen fields. The affordability factor is also important; with a net price of $30,574, students can weigh the cost of their education against potential earnings, making it a reasonable investment for many.
When considering the practical aspects of attending Loyola, the average debt load of $27,000 is relatively manageable, especially given the earnings potential. The school attracts a mix of students, including those who are determined to succeed and take advantage of the supportive community. With a graduation rate of 80%, it’s clear that many students find their footing here and go on to thrive in their careers.
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
Loyola University Maryland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 32% of Loyola Maryland's student body and 23% of Pepperdine's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Loyola Maryland) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine).
The two schools feed different job markets. Loyola University Maryland is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Pepperdine University concentrates in Communications. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Loyola University Maryland or Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University is harder to get into, admitting 63% of applicants compared with 75% at Loyola University Maryland.
Which is more affordable, Loyola University Maryland or Pepperdine University?
Loyola University Maryland is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,574 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Loyola University Maryland or Pepperdine University graduates earn more?
Pepperdine University graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,652 at Loyola University Maryland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Loyola University Maryland or Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 80%.
Loyola University Maryland 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 0.7%.
Should you choose Loyola University Maryland or Pepperdine University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Loyola University Maryland if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Pepperdine University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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