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Pepperdine University
Most applicants get into Pepperdine University — 62.9% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Pepperdine University occupies suburban Malibu, CA — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its Churches of Christ affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Economics, where graduates median $104,943 four years out. Faculty pay averages $171,768 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 3,553 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 87.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1250 and 1450 — near the CA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Pepperdine University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Pepperdine University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1250 and 1450; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 630 | 670 | 710 |
| SAT Math | 620 | 690 | 740 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 30 | 32 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Pepperdine University received 12,457 applications and admitted 6,210 (49.9%), with 732 enrolling.
How Pepperdine University compares
| Pepperdine University | California median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 62.9% | 75.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $69,918 | $23,000 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $82,939 | $64,778 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Pepperdine University student earns $82,939 — 28% above the California median of $64,778 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Pepperdine University lists tuition at $69,918 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Pepperdine University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $69,918 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Pepperdine University enrolls 3,553 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Pepperdine University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
83.4% of Pepperdine University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 28.5 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $69,918 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Pepperdine University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Economics | $104,943 |
| International Business | $100,595 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $91,227 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $81,417 |
| Political Science and Government | $75,954 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $65,100 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $62,495 |
| Psychology, General | $61,353 |
| Journalism | $58,801 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $55,432 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $50,594 |
Median earnings for these 11 Pepperdine University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $82,939 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 31 additional Pepperdine University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Pepperdine University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1250–1450 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 62.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Pepperdine University's acceptance rate?
49.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 6,210 admitted from 12,457 applicants.
How much does Pepperdine University cost?
At Pepperdine University, published tuition is $69,918 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Pepperdine University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Pepperdine University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $82,939 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in California
- Point Loma Nazarene University — 83.7% admitted
- University of the Pacific — 71.3% admitted
- University of Redlands — 82.7% admitted
- Otis College of Art and Design — 81.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.