Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles vs. Pepperdine University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, Pepperdine University is the more selective admit (median LSAT 164 vs 163); Pepperdine University posts the higher first-time bar passage (86.77% vs 84.19%); Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles is cheaper on sticker tuition ($70,360 vs $72,920); Pepperdine University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (93.4% vs 91%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricLoyola Marymount University-Los AngelesPepperdine UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT163164Pepperdine University
Median undergraduate GPA3.743.85Pepperdine University
Acceptance rate26.1%23.4%Pepperdine University
Cost
Resident tuition$70,360$72,920Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles
Non-resident tuition$70,360$72,920Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles
Median grant$45,000$30,000Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles
Bar passage
First-time bar passage84.19%86.77%Pepperdine University
Two-year ultimate bar passage93.52%91.12%Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles
Bar passage vs. state average+6.5 pts+8.7 ptsPepperdine University
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment91%93.4%Pepperdine University
Large-firm (250+) employment19.6%14.7%Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles
Federal clerkships1%1.1%Pepperdine University

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 80.94% in 2011 to 84.19% in 202570%75%80%85%90%111315182022242584.19%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 87.29% in 2011 to 86.77% in 202560%70%80%90%111315182022242586.77%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Pepperdine University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $43,060 in 2011 to $70,360 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$70,360
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $42,840 in 2011 to $72,920 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$72,920
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Pepperdine University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles full profile · Pepperdine University full profile · All California law schools

FAQ

Is Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles or Pepperdine University harder to get into?

Pepperdine University is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 164 against Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles's 163.

Which is cheaper, Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles or Pepperdine University?

Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $70,360 versus Pepperdine University's $72,920.

Which has better bar passage, Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles or Pepperdine University?

Pepperdine University has the higher first-time bar passage, 86.77% against Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles's 84.19%.

Which has better job outcomes, Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles or Pepperdine University?

Pepperdine University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (93.4% vs 91%).

Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles vs Pepperdine University: which is better?

It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), Pepperdine University leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.

Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.

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