Skip to content
CollegeRanker

Compare

Pepperdine University vs University of Southern California

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

6
Pepperdine Wins
8
Tied / N/A
32
University Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Far West
Region
Far West
3,553
Enrollment
20,443
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

63%
Acceptance Rate
10%
1384
SAT Average
1495
28
ACT Midpoint
34
1290-1450
SAT Range
1450-1550

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$72,097
$69,918
Out-of-State Tuition
$72,097
$58,098
Average Net Price
$32,740
$50,560
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$13,516
$42,674
Net Price ($30-48K)
$14,394
$51,063
Net Price ($48-75K)
$19,539
$65,081
Net Price ($110K+)
$56,116
20%
Pell Grant Rate
22%
37%
Federal Loan Rate
24%

Academics

84%
Graduation Rate
92%
88%
Retention Rate
96%
47%
Full-Time Faculty
59%
$14,314
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$17,924
18%
First-Gen Students
25%

Student Body

59%
Female
55%
44%
White
26%
19%
Hispanic
20%
4%
Black
7%
15%
Asian
23%
0.74
Diversity Index
0.81

Outcomes

$64,934
Earnings (6yr)
$74,461
$72,056
Earnings (8yr)
$87,601
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$92,498
$23,510
Median Debt
$18,000
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.19x
78%
Earning Above HS
81%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

185.98%
Mobility Rate
393.30%
4309.9%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
5455.5%
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
720.9%
$124,100
Parent Median Income
$120,100

Social Capital

1.86
Economic Connectedness
1.78
-0.01
Friending Bias
0.03
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
8.2%

Research (Times HE)

N/A
World Rank
#73
N/A
Teaching Score
65.4
N/A
Research Score
48.7
N/A
Citations Score
71.9

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.

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit

10% accept 92% grad $92,498 earnings $32,740 net

The University of Southern California has an impressive graduation rate of 92%. This reflects the institution's strong commitment to student success and academic support. Students here are likely to find a community that encourages them to complete their degrees on time.

According to data from Opportunity Insights, while specific mobility metrics are not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are able to improve their economic prospects through education. Graduates from USC earn a median salary of $92,498 a decade after leaving, indicating a solid return on investment for their education.

The cost of attendance at USC is $32,740, with a median debt of $18,000 for those who borrow. This financial landscape makes it essential for prospective students to consider their funding options. Students who thrive at USC often have a clear focus on their career paths, particularly in fields like business, arts, and technology.

Sponsored

Compare Accredited Programs Accepting Applicants

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

Ad