I was wondering if it would be better to go to a UC school over LMU or Pepperdine. My major is business for LMU, Pepperdine and UCI and bizecon for UCSD and UCSB. Although the location of the two privates are great in LA, everyone seems to be telling me that a UC education is more valuable. I also like a campus with a lot of students so it doesn’t feel like high school. If a UC is better, which one should I attend based on my majors? If it helps money isn’t really an issue, I got a pretty good scholarship from LMU.
Does religion matter?
The UCs are objectively more prestigious and well-known, if that’s the information you’re looking for. UCSD, UCSB and UCI are all highly recognizable both inside California and out. Fewer people will be familiar with Loyola Marymount or Pepperdine.
That said, prestige is not all that’s important in a school, and only you can decide what’s more important to you.
Honestly, if the only issue is location - San Diego and Santa Barbara are also excellent locations to be in as far as experience is concerned, and Irvine seems to be pretty nice.
Personally, I don’t think I would turn down a UCSD or UCSB education for Loyola Marymount or Pepperdine, especially if you are in-state, unless that scholarship were truly something special.
Unless LMU is substantially cheaper, if you’re in-state, then I’d pick UCSD or UCSB (the latter if you want to be right on the beach!), both of which are > UCI, and if location is important, then go with UCSB and enjoy your own beach!
If you’re Christian or Catholic, Pepperdine or LMU might fit well with the environment you want (as for location, you have Malibu for Pepperdine - further out from the city and in a lovely natural setting, and Marina del Rey/Venice/Santa Monica for LMU - lots to do, the “LA spirit”, etc.). If you’re not, you might be more comfortable at UCSB or UCSD.
I’m a Christian and although I’d like to be with like-minded people it’s not my first priority or a necessity. The quality of education comes first, which is why I’m leaning towards a UC. Pepperdine and LMU were initially my top choices, but now I feel like I’d be making a big mistake if I chose either over a UC.
I don’t know that you’d be making a “big mistake” - both Pepperdine and LMU offer excellent education (the Jesuits have always excelled at that). USNews ranks UCSB at #37 and Pepperdine at #52 so not that much difference. Though UC name might be more well known outside of Cal, Pepperdine will offer plenty of business connections too.
I guess that’s what I was wondering. I know Pepperdine has an edge over LMU but I didn’t know if the UCs had a significant edge over Pepperdine.
You should check the program details at each school, USCB is “business economics” which may actually be much more economics than business (I read that somewhere but you’d have to confirm). Same for UCSD. UCI has an actual business program but again check the details. So for straight business, Pepperdine or LMU might actually be better. For what it’s worth, Bloomberg Business Undergraduate ranking has LMU at #80 whereas none of the others on your list appear in its rankings. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-04-04/the-complete-ranking-best-undergraduate-business-schools-2014
So in pure name recognition, UCs might have an edge, but when it comes to an actual business program, perhaps not.
Also, visit the schools if you can.
Oh wow I never knew that, that’s definitely something I gotta take into consideration. As far as bizecon goes I hear it’s Econ mixed with some accounting. I’m interested in business and economics and I don’t really have a preference at the moment, and I might even want to double major/minor if I choose a school that offers both.