Pepperdine Admission Requirements
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Malibu, CA
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Pepperdine Admission Overview
Pepperdine admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Pepperdine admitted 62.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.74 GPA (A-) and SAT 1290-1450 / ACT 29-32. Pepperdine is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Pepperdine is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Pepperdine Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Pepperdine University
Acceptance Rate
The Pepperdine acceptance rate is 62.9%. Last year, 7,245 of 11,526 applicants were admitted. That is the 42nd lowest acceptance rate in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Pepperdine and can you get accepted?
Pepperdine is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Pepperdine University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.74. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Pepperdine GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.74Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.74
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Pepperdine typically have around a 3.74 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Pepperdine is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #24 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Pepperdine Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Pepperdine University is test-optional for first-year admission. Applicants are not required to submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores and receive the same admission consideration either way. Students who self-report scores must send official reports if they enroll. Pepperdine superscores the SAT, ACT, and CLT. Homeschooled applicants are expected to submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. Scores are required only if you want to be considered for the Regents Scholars Program.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.pepperdine.edu/apply/undergraduate/requirements/test-scores.htm
Pepperdine SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1290-1450Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 650
- Math 640
- Composite 1290
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 710
- Math 740
- Composite 1450
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Pepperdine typically score around a 1370 SAT (middle 50% 1290–1450) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 94th percentile nationally. Pepperdine ranks #15 in the state of California and #125 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1290 to 1450
SAT policy
Pepperdine is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1370 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Pepperdine ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
29-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 27
- Composite 29
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 32
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Pepperdine typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 29–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Pepperdine places #16 among colleges in California and #124 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Pepperdine without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Pepperdine chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Pepperdine University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Pepperdine University is $65.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Pepperdine is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 62.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.74 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1290-1450); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Pepperdine University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121150.
GPA calculator: Pepperdine University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026