UC Riverside vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Riverside 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 Riverside 22:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UC Riverside vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside 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 Riverside than Pepperdine ($14,562 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Riverside are 4.9% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,691 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 348% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $54,312 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Riverside (about $20,112 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Riverside (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 10.6% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($26,927 vs. $24,355).

UC Riverside vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 190 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UC Riverside vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside 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).

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $6,891 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($19,109 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($197 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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.