Malibu, CA
Pepperdine University is a private nonprofit institution located in Malibu, California, situated in a large suburb setting. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,553 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, with an 84.2% graduation rate.
Pepperdine University admits 62.9% of applicants, indicating moderate selectivity. Admitted students typically have an average high school GPA of 3.61 and score in the 640-740 range on the SAT math section.
Not reported reliably. Pepperdine University files 100% in all three class-rank bands, which describes no distribution of the class, so the profile is not shown.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 4,553 | 2,356 | 51.7% | 294 |
| Women | 7,904 | 3,854 | 48.8% | 438 |
Pepperdine University admits 62.9% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Pepperdine University has a cost of attendance of $95,168, but the average net price is $58,098, meaning students typically pay considerably less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $249.
After aid, Pepperdine University costs $58,098 a year — about 157% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Pepperdine University reports an 84.2% graduation rate. Graduates earn median salaries of $64,934 at six years post-entry and $82,939 at ten years post-entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management,... | 188 |
| Psychology, General | 92 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and... | 51 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 49 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 48 |
| Economics, General | 46 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 36 |
| Finance, General | 24 |
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 21 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 21 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Pepperdine University are $72,056, and 78% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Pepperdine University students earn $64,934 — 43% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Pepperdine University, located in Malibu within a large suburb setting, enrolls 3,553 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The student body includes 59.6% women, 20.2% Pell grant recipients, and 17.6% first-generation students.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
293 of 3,442 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
111 of 3,629 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 2,693 of 5,916 graduate students.
Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large suburb setting. The campus sits about 3.1 miles from the center of Malibu. There are 16 other colleges within 25 miles, and Los Angeles, CA is 17 miles away.
Los Angeles County scores 13.5 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 5.8% of Malibu's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Pepperdine University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Pepperdine University reported 49 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Pepperdine University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Pepperdine University has an acceptance rate of 62.9%. Out of 12,457 applicants, 6,210 were admitted, with 840 students enrolling. Additionally, 785 students were admitted from a waitlist of 1,443 candidates.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 640-740 on the SAT math section. For the ACT composite, the middle 50% scored between 29-32. The average high school GPA of admitted students was 3.61.
While Pepperdine accepts standardized test scores, 14% of applicants submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores, indicating that test submission varies among the applicant pool.
The cost of attendance at Pepperdine is $95,168, with tuition and fees comprising $69,918 of that total. The average net price after aid is $58,098, making it more affordable for many students.
The average net price at Pepperdine is $58,098 annually. About 20.2% of students receive Pell grants, and 37.3% borrow federal loans, with the median federal debt at graduation being $23,510.
First-generation students comprise 17.6% of Pepperdine's undergraduate population. Additionally, 20.2% of students receive Pell grants, indicating significant socioeconomic diversity on campus.
Pepperdine University has a graduation rate of 84.2%. The institution maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, supporting student success and engagement.
Median earnings for Pepperdine graduates are $64,934 six years after entry and $82,939 ten years after entry. The three-year loan repayment rate is 74.5%, indicating reasonable debt management among borrowers.
Pepperdine University has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,553 students. The student body is 59.6% women, with 20.2% receiving Pell grants and 17.6% first-generation students.
Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, California, in a large suburb setting. As a private nonprofit institution, it provides a residential campus experience in Southern California.