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Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles vs Pepperdine University
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 17 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 17 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (81 cross-admits)
81 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
Loyola Marymount is Top 75 · Pepperdine University is Top 150 in the LSD rankings
See full LSD.Law school rankings →About this comparison
This page compares Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles and Pepperdine University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, Pepperdine University is ranked #55 compared to #71 — a gap of 16 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
Both schools are located in California — Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles in Los Angeles and Pepperdine University in Malibu — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.
Among cross-admitted applicants, Loyola Marymount University—Los Angeles offered a median scholarship of $138,750 compared to $90,000, a difference of $48,750 that may factor into enrollment decisions.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Pepperdine University |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #71 | #55 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.007) ▲ | Top 150 (0.003) |
| LSAT 25th | 160 | 161 ▲ |
| LSAT Median | 163 | 164 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 165 | 167 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.74 | 3.85 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 26.1% | 23.4% ▲ |
| Class Size | 338 | 227 |
| Yield Rate | 28.4% ▲ | 22.3% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Pepperdine University |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $70,360 ▲ | $72,920 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $70,360 ▲ | $72,920 |
| Median Grant | $45,000 ▲ | $30,000 |
| % Receiving Grants | 62.0% | 77.0% ▲ |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | Loyola Marymount | Pepperdine University |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 16.7% ▲ | 11.7% |
| Judicial Clerkships | 2.4% | 7.1% ▲ |
| Median Salary (Private) | $120,000 | - |
| Employment Rate | 93.2% | 93.9% ▲ |
| Bar Pass Rate | 84.2% | 86.8% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
Loyola Marymount
Pepperdine University
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
100%
|
5 |
| 2021-2022 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2020-2021 |
90%
|
10 |
| 2019-2020 |
40%
|
5 |
| 2006-2007 |
83%
|
6 |
| 2005-2006 |
78%
|
9 |
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