California-Davis vs. Pepperdine University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared

Both are California law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, California-Davis is the more selective admit (median LSAT 165 vs 164); California-Davis posts the higher first-time bar passage (88.94% vs 86.77%); California-Davis is cheaper on sticker tuition ($57,460 vs $72,920); California-Davis places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (94.6% vs 93.4%).

Side by side (ABA Standard 509)

MetricCalifornia-DavisPepperdine UniversityBetter
Admissions
Median LSAT165164California-Davis
Median undergraduate GPA3.703.85Pepperdine University
Acceptance rate15.97%23.4%California-Davis
Cost
Resident tuition$57,460$72,920California-Davis
Non-resident tuition$69,705$72,920California-Davis
Median grant$25,000$30,000Pepperdine University
Bar passage
First-time bar passage88.94%86.77%California-Davis
Two-year ultimate bar passage92.82%91.12%California-Davis
Bar passage vs. state average+11.2 pts+8.7 ptsCalifornia-Davis
Employment
Full-time, long-term JD employment94.6%93.4%California-Davis
Large-firm (250+) employment25.5%14.7%California-Davis
Federal clerkships1.5%1.1%California-Davis

15-year trajectory

First-time bar passage: 80.45% in 2011 to 88.94% in 202570%75%80%85%90%111315182022242588.94%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
California-Davis — First-time bar passage
First-time bar passage: 87.29% in 2011 to 86.77% in 202560%70%80%90%111315182022242586.77%
First-time bar passage · 2011–2025
Pepperdine University — First-time bar passage
Resident tuition: $46,485 in 2011 to $57,460 in 2025$45,000$50,000$55,000$60,0001113151719212325$57,460
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
California-Davis — Resident tuition
Resident tuition: $42,840 in 2011 to $72,920 in 2025$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000$80,0001113151719212325$72,920
Resident tuition · 2011–2025
Pepperdine University — Resident tuition

Full profiles & related

California-Davis full profile · Pepperdine University full profile · All California law schools

FAQ

Is California-Davis or Pepperdine University harder to get into?

California-Davis is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 165 against Pepperdine University's 164.

Which is cheaper, California-Davis or Pepperdine University?

California-Davis is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $57,460 versus Pepperdine University's $72,920.

Which has better bar passage, California-Davis or Pepperdine University?

California-Davis has the higher first-time bar passage, 88.94% against Pepperdine University's 86.77%.

Which has better job outcomes, California-Davis or Pepperdine University?

California-Davis places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (94.6% vs 93.4%).

California-Davis vs Pepperdine University: which is better?

It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), California-Davis leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.

Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.

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