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Pepperdine University vs Purdue University-Main Campus

42 data points compared. Stronger value in each row highlighted. Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS.

13
Pepperdine Wins
9
Tied / N/A
20
Purdue Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Public
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Far West
Region
Great Lakes
3,553
Enrollment
44,503
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

63%
Acceptance Rate
50%
1384
SAT Average
1364
28
ACT Midpoint
30
1290-1450
SAT Range
1200-1480

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$9,992
$69,918
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,794
$58,098
Average Net Price
$14,600
$50,560
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$5,098
$42,674
Net Price ($30-48K)
$6,241
$51,063
Net Price ($48-75K)
$9,438
$65,081
Net Price ($110K+)
$22,742
20%
Pell Grant Rate
13%
37%
Federal Loan Rate
22%

Academics

84%
Graduation Rate
83%
88%
Retention Rate
93%
47%
Full-Time Faculty
96%
$14,314
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$14,473
18%
First-Gen Students
19%

Student Body

59%
Female
47%
44%
White
54%
19%
Hispanic
8%
4%
Black
3%
15%
Asian
15%
0.74
Diversity Index
0.67

Outcomes

$64,934
Earnings (6yr)
$60,838
$72,056
Earnings (8yr)
$66,951
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$72,424
$23,510
Median Debt
$19,500
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.27x
78%
Earning Above HS
80%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

185.98%
Mobility Rate
N/A
4309.9%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
N/A
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
N/A
$124,100
Parent Median Income
N/A

Social Capital

1.86
Economic Connectedness
1.67
-0.01
Friending Bias
0.00
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
6.9%

The Overviews

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit

63% accept 84% grad $82,939 earnings $58,098 net

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.

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

50% accept 83% grad $72,424 earnings $14,600 net

With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.

After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.

When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.

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