Pepperdine University vs Concordia University-Irvine: which has better ROI?
Pepperdine University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $232,392 in 6.7 years versus 6.7 years at Concordia University-Irvine, on median earnings of $82,939 vs $65,083 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pepperdine University | Concordia University-Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $58,098 | $28,115 |
| Total net cost | $232,392 | $112,460 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,939 | $65,083 |
| Median debt | $23,510 | $24,247 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $459,188 | $222,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pepperdine University or Concordia University-Irvine?
Concordia University-Irvine, at $28,115 a year after aid versus $58,098 — a gap of $29,983 a year, or $119,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pepperdine University or Concordia University-Irvine graduates earn more?
Pepperdine University graduates report a median $82,939 ten years after entry, $17,856 more than the $65,083 at Concordia University-Irvine. 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, Pepperdine University or Concordia University-Irvine?
Pepperdine University: its completers carry a median $23,510 in federal loans versus $24,247 at Concordia University-Irvine, a difference of $737. 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 58% at Concordia University-Irvine. 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.