UCSD vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UCSD vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Pepperdine ($14,047 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 12.8% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,970 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 317.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $53,160 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California San Diego (about $18,960 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California San Diego (91% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($26,927 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 10 points higher than at Pepperdine (1370).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Pepperdine).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UCSD vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Pepperdine University's (81%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($18,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($191 vs. $268).
• More UCSD 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.