Head-to-Head Comparison
Pepperdine University vs Villanova University
- Pepperdine Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 9
- Villanova Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Villanova University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $43,756 vs Pepperdine University's $58,098, Villanova University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Villanova University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $100,423 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Pepperdine
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,510, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than Pepperdine University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $43,756, roughly $14,342 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 27% 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); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over Pepperdine University. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $82,939.
Pick Villanova University over Pepperdine University. Net price $43,756 vs $58,098.
Pick Pepperdine University over Villanova University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Pick Villanova University over Pepperdine University. 92% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Pepperdine University and Villanova University are close on paper, but Villanova 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
Villanova University is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Pepperdine University takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,384 to 1,460.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Villanova 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, Villanova University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $43,756, about $14,342 a year below Pepperdine University's $58,098. Graduates of Pepperdine University also borrow less: median debt of $23,510, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $57,368 before any change in aid. Choosing Villanova University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $82,939 at Pepperdine University. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Villanova University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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 Villanova University, it is 1.3%. Pepperdine University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.3%.
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 Villanova 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
Villanova University is harder to get into, with a 27% 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 Communications, while Villanova 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 Villanova University's $43,756.
- Engineering-focused students: Villanova University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Villanova University's enrollment of 6,938 far exceeds Pepperdine University's 3,553.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Villanova holds onto its admits more tightly: 28% 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.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Pepperdine's student body and 23% of Villanova's.
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 Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. Pepperdine University is strongest in Communications, Psychology, while Villanova University concentrates in Engineering, Health Professions. 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.
Pepperdine
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Pepperdine University or Villanova University?
Villanova University is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 63% at Pepperdine University.
Which is more affordable, Pepperdine University or Villanova University?
Villanova University is more affordable, with an average net price of $43,756 after aid versus $58,098 at Pepperdine University.
Do Pepperdine University or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,939 at Pepperdine University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Pepperdine University or Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 84%.
Pepperdine University vs Villanova 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 1.3%.
Should you choose Pepperdine University or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Villanova 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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