Loyola Marymount University vs Pepperdine University: which has better ROI?
Loyola Marymount University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $193,524 in 6.5 years versus 6.7 years at Pepperdine University, on median earnings of $78,349 vs $82,939 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Loyola Marymount University | Pepperdine University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $48,381 | $58,098 |
| Total net cost | $193,524 | $232,392 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,349 | $82,939 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $23,510 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $406,256 | $459,188 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Loyola Marymount University or Pepperdine University?
Loyola Marymount University, at $48,381 a year after aid versus $58,098 — a gap of $9,717 a year, or $38,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Loyola Marymount University or Pepperdine University graduates earn more?
Pepperdine University graduates report a median $82,939 ten years after entry, $4,590 more than the $78,349 at Loyola Marymount University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Loyola Marymount University or Pepperdine University?
Loyola Marymount University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $23,510 at Pepperdine University, a difference of $4,010. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Pepperdine University, against 79% at Loyola Marymount University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.