Malibu, CA · Private University
Is Pepperdine University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$82,939
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$66,742
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$66,742
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$266,968
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.24x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
84.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,510
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$45,409
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Pepperdine University graduates earn $37,939 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Pepperdine University ranked by graduate earnings
129 graduates
32 graduates
32 graduates
29 graduates
81 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Pepperdine University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Pepperdine University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business Administration, Management and Operations: $82,688) and the lowest (Biology, General: $20,031) is $62,657/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and OperationsBest ROI | $82,688 | 1.2x |
| Economics | $72,622 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $72,554 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $68,168 | 1.0x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $64,905 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,036 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $52,185 | 0.8x |
| International/Global Studies | $50,702 | 0.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $47,884 | 0.7x |
| Journalism | $45,717 | 0.7x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $33,228 | 0.5x |
| Biology, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $20,031 | 0.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | 1.24x | $82,939 | Average ROI |
| Chapman University | 1.12x | $70,070 | Average ROI |
| University of San Francisco | 1.54x | $89,812 | Good ROI |
| Occidental College | 1.20x | $75,951 | Average ROI |
| Southern Methodist University | 1.22x | $78,354 | Average ROI |
| Santa Clara University | 1.84x | $109,183 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Pepperdine University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $82,939 10 years after starting — $37,939 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.