Pepperdine University
Ca · Private · 100% graduation rate
Pepperdine University is a private university in Ca with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Business Administration, Management and Operations (grade B), with median debt of $26K and year-5 earnings of $89K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $26K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $26K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Accounting and Related Services | $26K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| International Business | $26K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $26K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $26K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $26K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| International/Globalization Studies | $26K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $26K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $26K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Journalism | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26K | $42K | $58K | C | BUY |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27K | $48K | $64K | C | BUY |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26K | $45K | $61K | C | BUY |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $27K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $27K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Music | $27K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ca
How Pepperdine University Compares
Pepperdine University graduates carry a median debt of $26K across tracked majors, which is $775 less than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $52K, about $4K below peers of the same type. Within Ca, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $228 above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 68 is 3 points below the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Pepperdine University earns a grade of B, with median debt of $26K and year-5 earnings of $89K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Pepperdine University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Pepperdine University. For example, Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates have median debt of $26K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Business Administration, Management and Operations with median year-5 earnings of $89K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).