Head-to-Head Comparison
Pepperdine University vs Rice University
- Pepperdine Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 15
- Rice Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rice University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $13,370 vs Pepperdine University's $58,098, Rice University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rice University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Pepperdine
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Rice
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,370, roughly $44,728 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Pepperdine graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Rice in Biology & Biomedical (16%). 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 Rice University over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Rice University over Pepperdine University. Net price $13,370 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over Rice University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Rice 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
Pepperdine University and Rice University are close on paper, but Rice 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
Rice University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Pepperdine University takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,384 to 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rice 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, Rice University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,370, about $44,728 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Rice University also borrow less: median debt of $11,000, against $23,510.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $178,912 before any change in aid. Choosing Rice University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rice University graduates report median earnings of $89,718, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rice University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
Rice 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 11% 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 Rice 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 3.3%.
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 Rice 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
Rice University is harder to get into, with a 8% 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. Pepperdine University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, Social Sciences, while Rice University leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $58,098 runs well above Rice University's $13,370.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,510, against $11,000 at Rice University.
- Engineering-focused students: Rice University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rice University has less business program depth, and Pepperdine University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
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) 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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Rice University
Houston, TX · Private nonprofit
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.
Rankings They Appear On
Rice University is featured on the Best Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Pepperdine's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Rice leads with Biology (16%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rice).
The two schools feed different job markets. Pepperdine University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, Psychology, while Rice University concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Computer Science & IT. 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 Pepperdine University or Rice University?
Rice University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 63% at Pepperdine University.
Which is more affordable, Pepperdine University or Rice University?
Rice University is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,370 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Pepperdine University or Rice University graduates earn more?
Rice University graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Pepperdine University or Rice University?
Rice University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 84%.
Pepperdine University vs Rice 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 Pepperdine University or Rice University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rice 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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