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 (86.8% vs 84.2%); 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 91.0%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles | Pepperdine University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 163 | 164 | Pepperdine University |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.74 | 3.85 | Pepperdine University |
| Acceptance rate | 26.1% | 23.4% | Pepperdine University |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $70,360 | $72,920 | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles |
| Non-resident tuition | $70,360 | $72,920 | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles |
| Median grant | $45,000 | $30,000 | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 84.2% | 86.8% | Pepperdine University |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 93.5% | 91.1% | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +6.5 pts | +8.7 pts | Pepperdine University |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 91.0% | 93.4% | Pepperdine University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 19.6% | 14.7% | Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles |
| Federal clerkships | 1.0% | 1.1% | Pepperdine University |
trajectory since 2011
Full profiles & related
Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles full profile · Pepperdine University full profile · Pin both on the interactive map → · 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, 86.8% against Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles's 84.2%.
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 91.0%).
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.