Head-to-Head Comparison
Pepperdine University vs University of Portland
- Pepperdine Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 10
- Portland Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Portland 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 University of Portland's $28,210 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Portland's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Pepperdine
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment, 0% more than University of Portland
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- 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
Portland
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,210, roughly $29,888 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,370, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Pepperdine graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Portland in Health Professions (29%). 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 University of Portland. Median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment vs $82,804.
Pick University of Portland over Pepperdine University. Net price $28,210 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over University of Portland. 1.9% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Pepperdine University over University of Portland. 84% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Pepperdine University and University of Portland are close on paper, but Pepperdine University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 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 University of Portland takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,384 to 1,277.
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, University of Portland comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,210, about $29,888 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of University of Portland also borrow less: median debt of $21,370, against $23,510.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $119,552 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Portland 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 $82,804 at University of Portland. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Portland has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.28x.
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 University of Portland, it is 0.9%. Pepperdine University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
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 University of Portland 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. University of Portland saves about $29,888 a year, yet Pepperdine University graduates earn $135 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. Pepperdine University concentrates enrollment in Communications, Social Sciences, while University of Portland leans toward Health Professions, 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 University of Portland's $28,210.
No strong negative signals — Portland competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Pepperdine offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Portland does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Portland, where only about 9% 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) 4 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.
University of Portland
Portland, OR · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of just under 3,000 students, the University of Portland is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community while still accessing solid academic programs. Students here often dive into popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. An acceptance rate of 89% indicates that the university welcomes a diverse range of applicants, making it an appealing option for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $82,804 within ten years, which can be quite encouraging when considering job prospects. This earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. While nearly a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, the supportive environment helps many move up in their careers, even if specific mobility rates aren’t available.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid sits at $28,210, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $21,370, suggesting that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of student loans. Those who thrive here are often proactive, engaged, and looking for a collaborative atmosphere that values both academic and personal growth.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Portland is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Oregon ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Pepperdine's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Portland leads with Nursing (BSN) (29%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Pepperdine) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Portland).
The two schools feed different job markets. Pepperdine University is strongest in Communications, Social Sciences, Psychology, while University of Portland concentrates in Health Professions, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. 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 University of Portland?
Pepperdine University is harder to get into, admitting 63% of applicants compared with 89% at University of Portland.
Which is more affordable, Pepperdine University or University of Portland?
University of Portland is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,210 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Pepperdine University or University of Portland graduates earn more?
Pepperdine University graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,939 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,804 at University of Portland.
Which has a better graduation rate, Pepperdine University or University of Portland?
Pepperdine University has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 80%.
Pepperdine University vs University of Portland: which is better for social mobility?
Pepperdine University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Pepperdine University or University of Portland?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Portland 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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