Pepperdine University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Malibu, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Pepperdine University is a private nonprofit university in Malibu, California that admits about 63% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $58,098 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Pepperdine University is a private institution located in Malibu, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Pepperdine University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 63%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1370 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $58,098 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Pepperdine University?
69% of enrolled students at Pepperdine University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Pepperdine University weight in admissions?
Pepperdine University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Religious affiliation/commitment
- • Recommendations
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores Pepperdine University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 640–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1300 |
| 50th percentile | 1370 |
| 75th percentile | 1440 |
| % submitting SAT | 18% |
| 25th percentile | 29 |
| 50th percentile | 31 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 10% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does Pepperdine University actually cost?
Published tuition is $69,918 for in-state students and $69,918 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $21,750 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $58,098 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $71,860 |
| Room and board | $22,480 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $58,098 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Pepperdine University
| Regular deadline | Jan 15 |
| Notification date | Apr 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Pepperdine University?
These predict outcomes at Pepperdine University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Pepperdine University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Pepperdine University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Pepperdine University confers roughly 658 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $91,408 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 218 | $91,408 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 127 | $75,482 |
| Psychology, General | 77 | $63,882 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 64 | $78,198 |
| Biology, General | 63 | — |
| Economics | 51 | $83,724 |
| Political Science and Government | 34 | $81,421 |
| International Business | 24 | — |
Is Pepperdine University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Pepperdine University disclosed 14 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Pepperdine University?
About 61% of undergraduates at Pepperdine University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 24% of men join a fraternity and 34% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- Chapman University65% acceptance
- Saint Mary's College of California87% acceptance
- California State University-Chico93% acceptance
- Sonoma State University93% acceptance
- California State University-East Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
Next steps for Pepperdine University
Common questions parents ask about Pepperdine University
What GPA do I need for Pepperdine University?
69% of enrolled students at Pepperdine University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Pepperdine University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 640–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32.
How much does Pepperdine University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Pepperdine University after grants and scholarships is $58,098 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $69,918. Budget against the net figure.
Is Pepperdine University realistic for my child?
Pepperdine University admits 63% of applicants, so 640–740 SAT Math is target range and below 640 is a reach. Then check the $58,098 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University accepts about 63% of applicants out of roughly 11,526 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Pepperdine University test-optional?
Yes. Pepperdine University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Pepperdine University?
About 83% of students at Pepperdine University graduate within six years, and 75% finish in four years. 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Pepperdine University look for in applicants?
Pepperdine University rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Pepperdine University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Pepperdine University is a private nonprofit institution located in Malibu, California.
What are the most popular majors at Pepperdine University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Pepperdine University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General. The school awards about 658 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Pepperdine University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Pepperdine University reported 14 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Pepperdine University?
At Pepperdine University, 61% of undergraduates live on campus, 24% of men are in fraternities, 34% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Pepperdine University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers