UC Davis vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Davis 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 Davis 22:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UC Davis vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis 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 Davis than Pepperdine ($17,270 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 10.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,426 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 316.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $53,144 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Davis (about $18,944 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Davis (91% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($26,927 vs. $24,591).

UC Davis vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 90 points higher than at UC Davis (1280).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UC Davis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UC Davis vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis 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 Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UC Davis graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $65,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $11,324 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($14,676 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($151 vs. $268).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.