UCLA vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UCLA vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or Pepperdine? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Los Angeles than Pepperdine ($14,512 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 15.5% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,369 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 359.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $54,715 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Los Angeles (about $20,515 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Los Angeles (91% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($26,927 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA or Pepperdine? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pepperdine and UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 50 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Pepperdine - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UCLA vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and Pepperdine? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than UCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $70,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $9,700 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($16,300 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($168 vs. $268).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.