UCI vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UCI vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 Irvine than Pepperdine ($15,889 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 12.7% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,991 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 344.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $54,196 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.1% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Irvine (about $19,996 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Irvine (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 16.5% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($26,927 vs. $23,110).

UCI vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 40 points higher than at UCI (1330).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UCI vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than UCI graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $61,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.