UC Berkeley vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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 Berkeley 18:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley than Pepperdine ($16,538 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pepperdine University are 8.4% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($21,750 vs. $23,750).
• Pepperdine University is 327.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $53,571 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Berkeley (about $19,371 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Berkeley (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 10% larger than aid received by Pepperdine University students ($29,608 vs. $26,927).

UC Berkeley vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 50 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley 1310/1530; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UC Berkeley vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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 Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Pepperdine graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $71,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $11,800 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($14,200 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($146 vs. $268).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.