Pepperdine University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Malibu, California. It enrolls 3,553 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes86
Value5
Affordability9
Selectivity78
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 62.9%, Pepperdine University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
62.9%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1290 – 1450
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
29 – 32
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Pepperdine University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
18.1 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Pepperdine University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $58,098 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$58,098
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
37%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$69,918
Room & Board (on-campus)
$21,750
Room & Board (off-campus)
$22,500
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,500
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$93,512
Application fee: $65 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$50,560
$30,001 – $48,000
$42,674
$48,001 – $75,000
$51,063
$75,001 – $110,000
$61,851
Over $110,000
$65,081
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,52910%percentile
$13,25025%percentile
$23,510Medianpercentile
$31,02375%percentile
$42,62590%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $22,000
↓ $1,510
No Pell $18,614
↓ $4,896
Dependent students $19,500
↓ $4,010
Independent students $35,027
↑ $11,517
Female students $20,500
↓ $3,010
Male students $18,713
↓ $4,797
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,250, less than completers ($23,510), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
83% of full-time students who enrolled at Pepperdine University graduate within six years, and 87% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
83%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
87%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Pepperdine University earn a median of $82,939 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$82,939
Earning > $25K
87%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$71,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$84,500
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$88,300
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$71,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$74,200
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $12,600, about 15% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 88% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Pepperdine University is home to 3,553 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
3,553
Part-Time
5%
First-Generation
18%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 43.8%1,556
Hispanic 19.4%690
Asian 14.6%520
Other 8.0%284
International 7.8%277
Black 3.7%130
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Pepperdine University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbMalibu, California
Housing
Strongly residential2,545 beds for 3,553 students
Adult Learners
3%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Pepperdine University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
63 distinct programs across
20 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Pepperdine University is 13:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
13:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.7B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$125,269
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
402 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
139
35%
$165,711
Associate Professors
77
19%
$130,685
Assistant Professors
63
16%
$110,650
Instructors
92
23%
$83,642
Lecturers
27
7%
$83,169
No Rank
4
1%
$87,434
Pros & Cons of Pepperdine University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Pepperdine University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Reasonable class sizes
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Pepperdine University is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pepperdine University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Pepperdine University.
Is Pepperdine University hard to get into?
Admissions at Pepperdine University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 62.9%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University has an acceptance rate of 62.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Pepperdine University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Pepperdine University scored between 1290 and 1450 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Pepperdine University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Pepperdine University scored between 29 and 32 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Pepperdine University cost?
The average net price after aid at Pepperdine University is $58,098 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Pepperdine University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $82,939 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $58,098 per year. That's roughly 1.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Pepperdine University known for?
Pepperdine University is best known for its programs in Counseling Psychology, Business Administration, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Pepperdine University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Pepperdine University are $82,939, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Pepperdine University accredited?
Yes. Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University enrolls 3,553 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University graduates 83% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Pepperdine University a public or private college?
Pepperdine University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Pepperdine University located?
Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, California.
What programs does Pepperdine University offer?
Pepperdine University offers 63 distinct programs. The most popular include Counseling Psychology, Business Administration, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Pepperdine University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Pepperdine University is 13:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in California
Other colleges in California share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Business Administration
Biology
Experimental Psychology
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