Santa Clara University (SCU) is a private, Jesuit-affiliated university in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is a mid-sized private university with approximately 9,200 students. Admissions are selective and about 44% acceptance rate. Most popular majors are Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Communication. SCU is known for its strong academic reputation, as evidenced by its high six-year graduation rate of about 88%. Alumni performance is good, with a median salary of around INR 86,00,000 (converting from $103,000) ten years post-graduation.
Pepperdine University is an American Christian private university in Malibu, California, with a beautiful campus perched over the Pacific Ocean. It is a mid-sized university, admitting around 10,500 students. It has competitive admissions, with an acceptance rate of approximately 50%. The best fields of study are Business, Psychology, Communication, Economics, and International Studies. The graduation rate after six years is about 84%. Alumni have a median salary of almost INR 70,00,000 (converted from $84,000) after ten years of graduation.
| Santa Clara University | Pepperdine University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 1307 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 60 US News 2024 # 1631 US News 2024 | # 1165 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 76 US News 2024 # 928 Center for World University Rankings 2022 |
| Subject Strength | # 181 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 156 for Law by US News 2025 | # 55 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -31 PG Programs -22 | UG Programs -38 PG Programs -16 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 44.0 % | 50.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1270 TOEFL-90 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1200 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 52998 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25185 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32064 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 53680 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 50940 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32240 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $137,000 Masters in Science: $130,000 Bachelor of Science: $123,000 Bachelor of Arts: $70,000 | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Bachelor of Science: $130,000 MBA: $90,000 Bachelor of Arts: $78,000 Doctorate: $50,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 151 for Business by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 88 for Business by US News 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160GMAT - 650/800GRE - 309/340IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 130/160GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 78/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -40250 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -54630 |
| application dates | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Spring 2026 Intake) | Jan 31, 2024 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Santa Clara University | Pepperdine University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1851 | 1937 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 12.5:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 40% Male, 59% Female |
| Location Facts | The university address is in Santa Clara, California, though a significant part of the campus lies over the border into San Jose, California. | Pepperdine's Malibu campus is situated on 830 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway.The Graziadio Business School and the Graduate School of Education and Psychology are headquartered in West Los Angeles at the Howard Hughes Center next to Interstate 405. These two schools also offer programs at campuses in Malibu, Irvine, and Calabasas. |
| Library | SCU’s libraries are much more than book repositories; they’re inspiring spaces for research, collaboration, and reflection. Spanning 194,000 square feet on four levels, the university library features energy-efficient lighting, light-filled public spaces, three open-air terraces, wireless networking, an art gallery, more than a million books, and over 200 new computers. | Pepperdine has multiple libraries and resources available for the students. With three libraries located on the main campus and one located at each of the four extension campuses, Pepperdine offers sanctuaries for study, learning, and research. |
| Campus Life | Santa Clara offers its students the opportunity to engage in over 125 registered student organizations (or clubs).[65] RSO's are partially funded by the university via the student government, ASG. These Organizations span from Athletic/Recreational, Careers/Pre-professional, Community Service, Ethnic/Cultural, Business Fraternities, Health/Counseling, Media/Publications, Music/Dance/Creative Arts, Political/Social Awareness to Religious/Philosophical. The Associated Student Government of Santa Clara University (ASGSCU) is Santa Clara University's student government, an elected representative body for undergraduate students. Santa Clara participates in NCAA's Division I and is a member of the West Coast Conference. Sports include boxing, cycling, equestrian, paintball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's rugby, women's rugby, men's Ultimate, women's Ultimate, men's volleyball, women's volleyball, men's ice hockey, sailing, Shotokan karate, swimming, triathlon, and women's field hockey. | Pepperdine University is an environment that is as conducive to personal connection as it is to higher learning. The university's diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students make the most of the Pepperdine experience by participating in student organizations, volunteer initiatives, spiritual opportunities, and campus activities unique to each of its five schools. University's student life and support resources provide rich opportunities for personal growth and cultural development. Pepperdine University Department of Campus Recreation is a unit of the Division of Student Affairs of Seaver College. The department's programs and services include: Club Sports, Esports, Fitness and Wellbeing, Informal Recreation, Intramural Sports, Outdoor Recreation, and Special Events and Excursions. The diversity and variety of sport and fitness activities and recreational facilities available assure opportunities for individuals to participate, whatever their level of ability and experience. |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $13293 #On campus - $14487 #Off campus (with family) - $4284 | #On campus - $14870 #Off campus (not with family) - $14870 #Off campus (with family) - $2500 |
| Famous Alumni | Andy Ackerman, producer and director, Seinfeld Lawrence A. Fernsworth, journalist and author | Mike Aamodt – Industrial and organizational psychology researcher Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos |
| City Life | Santa Clara, California is an idyllic city located in Santa Clara County. With its stunning parks and trails, great shopping and dining opportunities, and plenty of local attractions, Santa Clara has something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts will be ecstatic when they explore all that the city has to offer while business owners can take advantage of the many resources available. Education is also top-notch in Santa Clara with numerous schools, universities, and medical centers close at hand. Whether you’re looking for a new home or simply wanting to have some fun, Santa Clara is sure to provide the perfect experience! | Malibu is known around the world for its epic coastal hills that slope dramatically into soft-sanded beaches lining the Pacific, as well as its Mediterranean climate and famous residents that include the likes of Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio and Pierce Brosnan. While other luxury seaside communities have grand homes by picturesque beaches, nothing quite compares the relationship Malibu has with its landscape—to be a resident of Malibu means not just living by the sea but living with the sea. This not only means an abundance of opportunities for surfing, hiking or boating but also a serenity that is usually found deep in nature. With a stretch of coast that runs for 27 miles and a population of approximately 16,000, Malibu provides ample space to feel a sense of seclusion without having to be isolated—the city is home to renowned bars and restaurants and Los Angeles is less than 25 miles away. |
| Weather |
Santa Clara University vs Pepperdine University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Santa Clara University (SCU) Ranked approximately 1730 in US News ranking 2026), SCU is a private Jesuit institution known for Business (Leavey School of Business), Law, Engineering, and Liberal Arts. It carries a solid reputation for ethics, leadership, and Silicon Valley industry ties.Pepperdine University not ranked. Pepperdine is a private Christian university most famous for Business.
General Information
SCU: Established in 1851 in Santa Clara, California (Silicon Valley), SCU has ~9,200 students. SCU provides a close-knit, values-based campus with extensive integration of professional and liberal arts degree programs.Pepperdine: Established in 1937 in Malibu, California, Pepperdine has ~10,500 students. Its oceanfront campus is among the most beautiful in the U.S., providing a faith-based, community-oriented environment.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
SCU: Selective 44% acceptance rate, with a focus on academic prowess, extracurricular activities, and Jesuit mission values.Pepperdine: Moderately selective 50% acceptance rate, where academic potential alongside commitment to Christian values and community service are the focus.
Research Impact & Facilities
SCU: More applied research and industry-oriented collaboration, particularly in business, engineering, and law, taking advantage of its Silicon Valley location.Pepperdine: Focuses on teaching excellence rather than research, with excellent programs in business, public policy, and communication, and international study possibilities, particularly through its international campuses.
Cost & Financial Aid
SCU: Expensive tuition but SCU provides abundant merit and need-based scholarships, primarily to business and law students.Pepperdine: High cost of tuition as well, but offers merit- and faith-based scholarship awards. It takes a value proposition of having excellent value in smaller class sizes and international experience.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
SCU: Alumni are strong in business leadership, law, engineering, and entrepreneurship with high placement in Silicon Valley technology and business companies.Pepperdine: Alumni have good representation in business, law, communication, public policy, and entertainment, with good networks in Southern California industries and Christian leadership positions worldwide.
