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Pepperdine University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Malibu, CA · 3,553 students

The verdict

Pepperdine University charges a net price of $58,098/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $232,392. Graduates earn a median $82,939 ten years after entry, $34,579/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.7 years — a 20-year net return of $459,188, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
$58,098
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$82,939
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.7 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
63%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Pepperdine University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$58,098/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$232,392our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$82,939Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$34,579/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,510Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.7 yrsour math
20-year net return$459,188our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.