Head-to-Head Comparison
Pepperdine University vs Santa Clara University
- Pepperdine Wins
- 10
- Tied
- 10
- Santa Clara Wins
- 30
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Santa Clara University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $50,062 vs Pepperdine University's $58,098, Santa Clara University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Santa Clara University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Pepperdine
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 32% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $50,062, roughly $8,036 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,162, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 48% 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); Santa Clara in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 Santa Clara University over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Santa Clara University over Pepperdine University. Net price $50,062 vs $58,098.
Pick Santa Clara University over Pepperdine University. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Santa Clara University over Pepperdine University. 88% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Pepperdine University and Santa Clara University are close on paper, but Santa Clara 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
Santa Clara University is the harder admit. It takes 48% of applicants, while Pepperdine University takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,384 to 1,426.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Santa Clara 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, Santa Clara University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $50,062, about $8,036 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $23,510.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $32,144 before any change in aid. Choosing Santa Clara University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 32% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 32% 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
Santa Clara University graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 84%. 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
Santa Clara University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; 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 3.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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. Pepperdine University concentrates enrollment in Communications, while Santa Clara University leans toward Engineering. 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 Santa Clara University's $50,062.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,510, against $19,162 at Santa Clara University.
- Engineering-focused students: Santa Clara University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Santa Clara University's enrollment of 6,552 far exceeds Pepperdine University's 3,553.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Santa Clara holds onto its admits more tightly: 18% of admitted students enroll, versus 12% at Pepperdine — 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
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.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Healthcare Administration ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Pepperdine's student body and 27% of Santa Clara's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara).
The two schools feed different job markets. Pepperdine University is strongest in Psychology, while Santa Clara University concentrates in Engineering. 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 Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 63% at Pepperdine University.
Which is more affordable, Pepperdine University or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University is more affordable, with an average net price of $50,062 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Pepperdine University or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Pepperdine University or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 84%.
Pepperdine University vs Santa Clara University: which is better for social mobility?
Santa Clara University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Pepperdine University or Santa Clara University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Santa Clara 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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