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Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA·Private·www.pepperdine.edu/

Campus Identity

Beach TownNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Pepperdine University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Malibu, CA. Approximately 3,553 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 4 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 52/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Pepperdine University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Malibu, CA. Approximately 3,553 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 63% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 4 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 52/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

63%
Acceptance Rate
11,526 applications
31
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 29–32
$59,450
In-State Tuition
+$252 fees
$59,450
Out-of-State Tuition
+$252 fees
$21,750
Room & Board
3,553
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
12%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
West Coast
Selectivity63% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

650680710

SAT Math

640690740

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

West Coast

Greek Life

Active Greek System

22% frats · 33% sororities

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Suburban setting

Beach Access

4 miles

Malibu Beach, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

63°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

49 mi away
63 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts
64 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts

Beach Town

Malibu Beach, CA

Ocean access within 4.3 miles

4 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Malibu, CA

56°Jan57°Feb60°Mar63°Apr67°May73°Jun78°Jul79°Aug76°Sep69°Oct61°Nov56°Dec

Station: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

52/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety544854
54/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
48/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
54/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$59,450
Fees
$252
Room & Board
$21,750
Total
$81,452
App Fee: $65

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

78 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Clinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyMaster's
674 grads/yr$70,729
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
655 grads/yr$141,949
Psychology, GeneralMaster's
269 grads/yr$52,526
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
186 grads/yr$91,227
LawProfessional
159 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's655 grads$141,949
Educational/Instructional Media Design
Doctoral7 grads$133,031
Law
Doctoral$126,561
Human Resources Management and Services
Master's71 grads$123,307
Educational Administration and Supervision
Doctoral54 grads$120,410
Dispute Resolution
Master's148 grads$110,166
Economics
Bachelor's31 grads$104,943
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Doctoral$103,432
International Business
Bachelor's14 grads$100,595
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's54 grads$95,306

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pepperdine University located?

Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA. The main campus address is 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Pepperdine University?

Pepperdine University has an acceptance rate of 63%, making it moderately selective. Out of 11,526 applicants, 7,245 were admitted in the most recent year. 3,553 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Pepperdine University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Pepperdine University scored between 29 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 31. About 10% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Pepperdine University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Pepperdine University charges $59,450/year in tuition. Including room and board ($21,750/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $59,702/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Pepperdine University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Pepperdine University?

The undergraduate application fee at Pepperdine University is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Pepperdine University have college sports?

Yes — Pepperdine University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the West Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Pepperdine University the right fit for me?

Whether Pepperdine University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (63% admit rate), cost ($59,450/year out-of-state), campus culture in Malibu, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Pepperdine University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Pepperdine University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Malibu, CA
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
West Coast
School Year Weather
Hot · 63°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
52/100
Nearest Airport
Santa Monica, CA (SMO) · 15 mialso VNY (17 mi), LAX (18 mi)

Location

Malibu, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.