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Pepperdine University vs Washington University in St Louis

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

10
Pepperdine Wins
8
Tied / N/A
28
Washington Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Suburban
Setting
Suburban
Far West
Region
Plains
3,553
Enrollment
7,857
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

63%
Acceptance Rate
12%
1384
SAT Average
1530
28
ACT Midpoint
34
1290-1450
SAT Range
1500-1570

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,918
In-State Tuition
$65,790
$69,918
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,790
$58,098
Average Net Price
$21,786
$50,560
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$1,716
$42,674
Net Price ($30-48K)
$1,928
$51,063
Net Price ($48-75K)
$5,578
$65,081
Net Price ($110K+)
$42,170
20%
Pell Grant Rate
18%
37%
Federal Loan Rate
12%

Academics

84%
Graduation Rate
94%
88%
Retention Rate
95%
47%
Full-Time Faculty
73%
$14,314
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$16,945
18%
First-Gen Students
11%

Student Body

59%
Female
53%
44%
White
40%
19%
Hispanic
13%
4%
Black
9%
15%
Asian
21%
0.74
Diversity Index
0.76

Outcomes

$64,934
Earnings (6yr)
$78,073
$72,056
Earnings (8yr)
$81,347
$82,939
Earnings (10yr)
$86,182
$23,510
Median Debt
$17,500
0.28x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.2x
78%
Earning Above HS
84%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

185.98%
Mobility Rate
103.72%
4309.9%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
5350.8%
431.5%
From Bottom 20%
193.8%
$124,100
Parent Median Income
$180,200

Social Capital

1.86
Economic Connectedness
1.83
-0.01
Friending Bias
0.00
5.8%
Volunteering Rate
11.1%

Research (Times HE)

N/A
World Rank
#38
N/A
Teaching Score
58.9
N/A
Research Score
63
N/A
Citations Score
88.6

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.

Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

12% accept 94% grad $86,182 earnings $21,786 net

With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.

Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.

On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.

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