At $45,409/yr net price, Pepperdine University graduates earn $82,939/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $48,939/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $45,409 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $181,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,939/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$48,939/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 84.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,510 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $36,463/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $38,065/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $40,201/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $42,253/yr |
| $110,001+ | $52,946/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $122,038 | $69,120 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Doctoral | $103,746 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $96,691 | $107,675 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $92,733 | $97,638 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $74,576 | $193,904 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $71,015 | $154,886 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $62,508 | |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $58,673 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $57,770 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $57,318 |
The Risk Factor
84.7% of students at Pepperdine University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Pepperdine's ROI is mixed. You pay $45,409 a year, one of the steeper net prices for a private school, and your median debt at graduation lands at a manageable $23,510. Median earnings ten years out sit around $82,939, so the degree pays back, but the gap between what you spend and what you earn early on is real. The 84.7% graduation rate and 86% retention are the strongest numbers here , you are very likely to finish, which is the biggest factor in whether college debt turns into a good bet.
Business drives the payoff. Accounting graduates start highest at $62,508, followed by international business at $58,673, business administration at $57,770, and finance at $57,318. If you come to Pepperdine for one of these, the LA-area corporate and financial job market backs up the salary. Economics is the weak spot at $47,260 , you carry similar debt (around $24,250) for meaningfully lower early pay, so treat it as a stepping stone to grad school or a business role, not an end point.
The specific risk is price scaling with income. If your family earns over $110k, you pay $52,946 a year, well above the sticker gap other tiers see. Under $30k you still pay $36,463, which is high for a low-income family and means aid does not erase the cost. Every tier here pays a lot.
Pepperdine fits you if you want a business or accounting degree, will finish in four years, and either qualify for strong aid or can absorb the cost without heavy borrowing. If you are eyeing economics or a non-business major, or your family sits in the highest income tier facing the $52,946 price, run the numbers hard before committing , the payoff is narrower for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pepperdine University worth the high cost?
Pepperdine's $45,409 annual net price is steep for median earnings of $82,939 ten years out. The school works best for students targeting high-paying fields like HR management or educational media design, where graduates earn $100,000+.
What are the best paying majors at Pepperdine University?
Human Resources Management leads at $122,038 median earnings, followed by Educational Media Design at $103,746. Business and educational administration programs also clear $90,000, while psychology majors earn considerably less at $74,576.
How much debt do Pepperdine University graduates typically have?
Median debt is $23,510, which is manageable compared to the high sticker price. Strong financial aid helps keep borrowing reasonable, though the net price remains high at over $45,000 annually.
Does Pepperdine University provide good financial aid?
The gap between full cost and $45,409 net price suggests significant aid, but families still face substantial expenses. With nearly half of applicants accepted, merit aid may be limited for average students.