Pepperdine University vs Smith Chason College: 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 7.1 years at Smith Chason College, on median earnings of $82,939 vs $58,004 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pepperdine University | Smith Chason College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $58,098 | $34,367 |
| Total net cost | $232,392 | $68,734 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,939 | $58,004 |
| Median debt | $23,510 | $21,397 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $459,188 | $124,146 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pepperdine University or Smith Chason College?
Smith Chason College, at $34,367 a year after aid versus $58,098 — a gap of $23,731 a year, or $163,658 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 Smith Chason College graduates earn more?
Pepperdine University graduates report a median $82,939 ten years after entry, $24,935 more than the $58,004 at Smith Chason College. 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 Smith Chason College?
Smith Chason College: its completers carry a median $21,397 in federal loans versus $23,510 at Pepperdine University, a difference of $2,113. 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 72% at Smith Chason College. 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.