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#11 Best Private Colleges in California

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California

 3 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

10,030
Pepperdine University overview
Location Malibu, California
Online pepperdine.edu
School Type Private 4 Year
Setting Rural Fringe
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ
Pepperdine University overview
Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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Pepperdine University, situated in the coastal community of Malibu, California, offers a picturesque campus marked by Mediterranean Revival architecture and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 35 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1937 by George Pepperdine, this private institution is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and integrates a Christian worldview within its curriculum. The university is known for its academic rigor and has a selective admission process with an emphasis on holistic review. Pepperdine's academic profile includes strong programs in business, law, and psychology. Undergraduates have an opportunity to live on campus. Respectable for its athletic program, Pepperdine competes in the West Coast Conference with the team name "Waves," and is particularly noted for its successes in men's and women's tennis.

In the most recent statistical year 11,466 prospective students applied, and 5,585 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 942 enrolled in the school.  5,998 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 4,032 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $62,390 plus fees of $752. Pepperdine is ranked 127 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

8/10

Overall

10/10

Academics

7/10

Resources

8/10

Outcomes

5/10

Value

Pepperdine is rated within the top 24% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Pepperdine University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Very High
Pepperdine University overview
SAT 1285/1480
ACT 28/32
GPA 3.74

Applications Accepted

48.7% 
Pepperdine University overview
Applications Due Jan 15, 2025
Applicant Competition Average
Application Fee $65

Explore admissions requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$62,390
Costs for Pepperdine University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$1,000
Other Fees$752
Room and Board $18,560
Budget for Other Expenses$2,500
Total One Year Cost$85,202

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$71,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

81% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Pepperdine University students
Subject Percent of Class
Business 27%
Communication 22%
Social Sciences 10%
General Studies 8%
Psychology 5%

View All 53 Majors

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Students considering Pepperdine are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Questions and Answers

CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Pepperdine University.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121150 IPEDS survey data for Pepperdine University.

Current students may use the Pepperdine University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024