Pepperdine University
PrivateMalibu, CA
Pepperdine University is a private mid-sized school in Malibu, CA, enrolling about 3,553 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 63% of applicants get in. Among reported majors, Economics shows the strongest outcomes -- $104,943/year in median earnings four years after graduation. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from Pepperdine University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 17% submitted SAT scores, 8% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Decision I: Nov 1, 2026
- Early Action: Nov 1, 2026
- Early Decision II: Jan 15, 2027
- Regular Decision: Jan 15, 2027
Confirm on Pepperdine University's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Where do you stand against Pepperdine University's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Pepperdine University weighs your application
From Pepperdine University's own Common Data Set, 2025-26, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Pepperdine University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Pepperdine University look for in applicants?
Per Pepperdine University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, religious affiliation as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Pepperdine University's acceptance rate?
Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA admits approximately 63% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Pepperdine University?
Per Pepperdine University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1240–1410 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for Pepperdine University?
Per Pepperdine University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 28–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does Pepperdine University cost?
Pepperdine University's total cost of attendance is reported at $93,512 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University's deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 1, 2026; Early Action Nov 1, 2026; Early Decision II Jan 15, 2027; Regular Decision Jan 15, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Pepperdine University require students to live on campus?
No -- Pepperdine University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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