Pepperdine University

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Malibu, CA
3.8 4 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

8,976

Location Malibu, California
Website pepperdine.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Rural Fringe
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ

Best Colleges Rank

#162

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Pepperdine University occupies a 830-acre campus along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, approximately 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Founded in 1937 and affiliated with the Churches of Christ, the university features Mediterranean Revival architecture across its hillside location, with academic buildings and residential facilities offering views of the Pacific Ocean. The university maintains a selective undergraduate admission process and is known for its Seaver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Caruso School of Law, and Graziadio Business School. Undergraduate students are required to live on campus for the first two years, with most residing in suite-style residential facilities overlooking the coastline. Pepperdine competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Waves, with particularly strong programs in men's volleyball and women's beach volleyball.

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Ratings

Pepperdine is rated within the top 27% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

9 out of 10
Resources

6 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

1 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Pepperdine University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#162
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#126
Best Colleges in California

#21
Best Private Colleges in California

#14
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#571
Best Value Colleges in California

#38

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very High

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1290/1450
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 29/32
GPA 3.74

Acceptance Rate

62.9%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 11.6%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$69,918

Costs for Pepperdine University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$69,918
Books and Supplies		$1,000
Other Fees		$788
Room and Board		$21,750
Budget for Other Expenses		$2,500
Total One Year Cost		$95,956

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$71,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

81% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Pepperdine University are Business, Communication, and Social Sciences. 27% of students major in Business, 22% in Communication, and 10% in Social Sciences.