University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs Pepperdine
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and Pepperdine University stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While UCLA boasts a sprawling urban campus and a highly diverse student body, Pepperdine's idyllic setting in Malibu attracts students seeking a more intimate learning environment. With contrasting acceptance rates, popular majors, and graduation outcomes, these universities cater to different aspirations and learning styles. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences, ensuring you make an informed decision that sets the stage for your future success.
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          Pepperdine University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          University of California-Los Angeles | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Malibu, California | Los Angeles, California | 
| Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Quarter | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 93.0% | 97.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | No | 
| Religious affiliation | Churches of Christ | |
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 52.7% | 10.8% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $65
           
          
            Graduate:
            $65
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $70
           
          
            Graduate:
            $120
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1260 - 1440 | N/A | 
| ACT range | 25 - 30 | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 19.0% | |
| Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
| Total number of applicants | 11,855 | 139,489 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 6,249 | 15,028 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,024 | 6,584 | 
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 43.8% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | $80,152 | 
                         
            In state:
            $36,173
           
          
            Out of state:
            $65,927
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $40,945 | $13,393 | 
| Tuition | $59,450 | 
                         
            In state:
            $11,442
           
          
            Out of state:
            $41,196
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | $16,700 | $16,763 | 
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          96.0%
        
         Average amount $36,967  | 
      
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $17,592  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          38.0%
        
         Average amount $5,171  | 
      
              
          11.0%
        
         Average amount $4,391  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $12,899  | 
      
              
          1.0%
        
         Average amount $19,764  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          3,708
        
        
           Men 42.3% Women 57.7%  | 
      
              
          32,122
        
        
           Men 40.2% Women 59.8%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          6,738
        
        
           Men 30.2% Women 69.8%  | 
      
              
          13,994
        
        
           Men 50.5% Women 49.5%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 46.9% | 21.9% | 
| International students | 8.3% | 14.5% | 
| Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 2,579 | 20,372 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Washington Colorado Arizona | California Texas Washington New York Illinois | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 18:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 83.0% | 92.1% | 
| Dropout rate | 16.6% | 3.7% | 
| Transferred out | N/A | 3.6% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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    statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
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      Common app member