UCSC vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 Cruz than Pepperdine ($18,059 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 8.3% lower than at Pepperdine University ($19,948 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 336.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $53,913 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.3% higher at Pepperdine than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $19,713 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at University of California Santa Cruz (91% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($26,927 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 110 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

UCSC vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $6,041 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($19,959 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.