Pepperdine University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$266,968
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$29,934/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
8.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
124%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Pepperdine University's high tuition of $66,742 is offset by relatively strong earnings. One year after graduation, the median salary is $49,653. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $64,934, and ten years after, they reach $82,939. The median debt for graduates is $23,510, and 38.4% of students receive financial aid.
Given the tuition and earnings data, it would take approximately 1.3 years for a graduate to earn an amount equal to their debt. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.36, which suggests manageable debt relative to earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$66,742
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,510
Median Earnings (5yr)
$64,934
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
38%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $266,968 | $122,505 | 556% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | $266,968 | $60,822 | 93% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $266,968 | $82,688 | 257% |
| Law. | $266,968 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $266,968 | $63,701 | 115% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $266,968 | $64,905 | 124% |
| International Business. | $266,968 | $0 | N/A |
| Applied Mathematics. | $266,968 | $0 | N/A |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | $266,968 | $0 | N/A |
| Dispute Resolution. | $266,968 | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General. | $266,968 | $52,185 | 29% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $266,968 | $72,554 | 181% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.