UCSB vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

UCSB vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 Santa Barbara than Pepperdine ($17,658 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 6.8% lower than at Pepperdine University ($20,279 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 326% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $53,504 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $19,304 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Santa Barbara (91% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($26,927 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 20 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UCSB vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $9,549 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($16,451 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($170 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.