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Pepperdine University vs Vanderbilt University

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

9
Pepperdine Wins
9
Tied / N/A
28
Vanderbilt Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Urban
Far West
Region
Southeast
3,553
Enrollment
7,208
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

63%
Acceptance Rate
6%
1384
SAT Average
1549
28
ACT Midpoint
35
1290-1450
SAT Range
1500-1570

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$67,498
$69,918
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,498
$58,098
Average Net Price
$15,846
$50,560
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$3,414
$42,674
Net Price ($30-48K)
$1,876
$51,063
Net Price ($48-75K)
$4,498
$65,081
Net Price ($110K+)
$45,145
20%
Pell Grant Rate
20%
37%
Federal Loan Rate
10%

Academics

84%
Graduation Rate
93%
88%
Retention Rate
96%
47%
Full-Time Faculty
85%
$14,314
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$16,361
18%
First-Gen Students
12%

Student Body

59%
Female
53%
44%
White
39%
19%
Hispanic
11%
4%
Black
9%
15%
Asian
19%
0.74
Diversity Index
0.78

Outcomes

$64,934
Earnings (6yr)
$73,909
$72,056
Earnings (8yr)
$84,542
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$91,565
$23,510
Median Debt
$14,000
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.15x
78%
Earning Above HS
82%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

185.98%
Mobility Rate
147.18%
4309.9%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
5929.6%
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
248.2%
$124,100
Parent Median Income
$197,900

Social Capital

1.86
Economic Connectedness
1.82
-0.01
Friending Bias
0.01
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
8.3%

Research (Times HE)

N/A
World Rank
#51
N/A
Teaching Score
64.9
N/A
Research Score
59.5
N/A
Citations Score
78.1

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.

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit

6% accept 93% grad $91,565 earnings $15,846 net

With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Vanderbilt University attracts motivated students who are ready to dive into rigorous programs. Located in Nashville, this school is particularly appealing to those interested in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology. The small enrollment of about 7,200 means students often benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering a close-knit academic community where collaboration thrives.

Looking ahead to life after graduation, Vanderbilt graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $91,565 within ten years. This impressive figure reflects the university's strong emphasis on career readiness and networking opportunities. While the data on mobility isn't available, the high graduation rate of 93% speaks to the support students receive, which can help them move into successful careers.

When it comes to the financial aspect, students can expect a net price of around $15,846 after aid, which is quite manageable given the potential earnings. With a median debt of $14,000, graduates usually leave with a reasonable financial burden. Students who thrive here are often those who are driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the university's resources to achieve their goals.

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