Skip to content
CollegeRanker

Compare

Pepperdine University vs Rice University

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

8
Pepperdine Wins
9
Tied / N/A
29
Rice Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Far West
Region
Southwest
3,553
Enrollment
4,776
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

63%
Acceptance Rate
8%
1384
SAT Average
1553
28
ACT Midpoint
35
1290-1450
SAT Range
1510-1570

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$64,144
$69,918
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,144
$58,098
Average Net Price
$13,370
$50,560
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$5,827
$42,674
Net Price ($30-48K)
$563
$51,063
Net Price ($48-75K)
$3,217
$65,081
Net Price ($110K+)
$48,466
20%
Pell Grant Rate
17%
37%
Federal Loan Rate
6%

Academics

84%
Graduation Rate
95%
88%
Retention Rate
97%
47%
Full-Time Faculty
84%
$14,314
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$18,454
18%
First-Gen Students
14%

Student Body

59%
Female
45%
44%
White
26%
19%
Hispanic
17%
4%
Black
8%
15%
Asian
29%
0.74
Diversity Index
0.80

Outcomes

$64,934
Earnings (6yr)
$79,751
$72,056
Earnings (8yr)
$78,690
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$89,718
$23,510
Median Debt
$11,000
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.12x
78%
Earning Above HS
80%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

185.98%
Mobility Rate
160.34%
4309.9%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
4873.2%
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
329.0%
$124,100
Parent Median Income
$149,200

Social Capital

1.86
Economic Connectedness
1.86
-0.01
Friending Bias
-0.02
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
10.4%

Research (Times HE)

N/A
World Rank
#47
N/A
Teaching Score
57.4
N/A
Research Score
50.6
N/A
Citations Score
99.1

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.

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private nonprofit

8% accept 95% grad $89,718 earnings $13,370 net

With an acceptance rate of just 8%, Rice University attracts driven students who are eager to excel academically and socially. This private nonprofit institution in Houston is ideal for those interested in fields like Engineering, Biology, Computer Science, and Mathematics. The strong graduation rate of 95% speaks volumes about the supportive environment here, where students are encouraged to dive deep into their studies and collaborate across disciplines.

Graduates from Rice see impressive earnings, with a median salary of $89,718 just ten years after finishing their degree. This figure is significant because it highlights the school's effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers. While 17% of students rely on Pell Grants, the overall affordability of education here, combined with the strong salary potential, makes it a viable option for many.

When it comes to the practical side of things, the net price after aid is around $13,370, and the median debt for graduates is relatively low at $11,000. These numbers suggest that students can graduate with manageable debt, which is a big plus in today’s economy. Those who thrive here are often collaborative, ambitious, and ready to engage with a diverse community, making the most of the excellent academic resources available to them.

Sponsored

Compare Accredited Programs Accepting Applicants

Matched to high-demand fields — request info, free.

Ad