Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

Pepperdine University admitted 62.9% of applicants university-wide (7,245 of 11,526).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide62.9%7,24511,526
Men64.7%2,7164,197
Women61.8%4,5287,325

Also offers Restrictive Early Action (closes Nov 1) — the Common Data Set doesn't publish EA admit counts.

Of 7,245 admitted students, 843 enrolled (11.6% yield).

Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

SAT (mid-50%)
1300–1440
ACT (mid-50%)
29–32
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.25–3.99

Testing policy: Test-blind (scores not considered)

Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $98,652/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$71,860
Fees, housing, food, books & other$26,792
Sticker cost of attendance$98,652/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$50,560
$30k–48k$42,674
$48k–75k$51,063
$75k–110k$61,851
Over $110k$65,081

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Pepperdine Grant — Up to $10,000 for first-year students; up to $25,000 for transfer students (Need Based)
  • Chancellor's Scholarship — $22,000 per year (Merit)
  • Provost's Scholarship — $18,000 per year (Merit)
  • Dean's Scholarship — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Christian Leadership Award — $5,000 annually (Merit)
  • Faculty Scholarship — Up to 25% of tuition (Merit)
  • Music Scholarship — Varies (Departmental)
  • President's Scholarship — Up to 50% of tuition (Merit)
  • Presidential Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
  • Regents Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)

International applicants

No need-based aid reported for internationals.

  • Chancellor's Scholarship — $22,000 per year (Merit)
  • Provost's Scholarship — $18,000 per year (Merit)
  • Dean's Scholarship — $15,000 per year (Merit)
  • Christian Leadership Award — $5,000 annually (Merit)
  • Faculty Scholarship — Up to 25% of tuition (Merit)
  • Music Scholarship — Varies (Departmental)
  • President's Scholarship — Up to 50% of tuition (Merit)
  • Presidential Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
  • Regents Scholarship — Full tuition (Full Tuition)

Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application (including Pepperdine Questions and Writing Supplement)
  • One Academic Letter of Recommendation
  • SAT, ACT, or CLT Scores (Optional) (optional)
  • InitialView or Vericant Interview (Optional) (optional)
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application (including Pepperdine Questions and Writing Supplement)
  • One Academic Letter of Recommendation
  • SAT, ACT, or CLT Scores (Optional) (optional)
  • InitialView or Vericant Interview (Optional) (optional)
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Pepperdine University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 2 college-specific supplements:

  1. Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus? (300–500 words)500 words · Required
  2. Please provide a statement (approximately 250–650 words) discussing your educational path. How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals?650 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$82,939
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
83.4%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
88%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$23,510
At graduation

Pepperdine University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #84
  • WSJ: #133
  • Forbes: #123
  • Niche: #240

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early Action — Non-binding early round
  • 2027-01-15Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Business & marketing (29%), Social sciences (11%), Psychology (11%).

Student–faculty ratio: 12:1 · 69% of class sections have under 20 students.

Pepperdine University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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