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PrivateSuburban

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California 90263

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Campus Vibe

Business-focusedSuburbanGreek life

Top graduate earnings — known for business

Pepperdine University is a private institution in Malibu with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1367, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 3.6K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

85% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $82,939 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $45,409.

Established
1937
Motto
Freely ye received, freely give
Mascot
Willie the Wave
Type
Private research university
Conference
NCAA Division I
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

8 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, Apr 10 · Campus Tour
50%Acceptance
1367SAT Avg
3,629Students
13:1Student:Faculty
85%Grad Rate
$82,939Earnings 10yr
$45,409Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Pepperdine University Launches New Data Science Minor

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

Admissions

Acceptance Rate49.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1367

Reading & WritingMid: 670
630710
MathMid: 680
620740

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2632

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

49.9%

Trend

SAT Avg

1367

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$66,742
Room & Board$23,270
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$85,202
Average Net Price$45,409
Median Debt at Graduation$23,510
Monthly Payment (10yr)$249

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$36,463
$30–48K$38,065
$48–75K$40,201
$75–110K$42,253
$110K+$52,946

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$45,409

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

6200.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

25

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Programs (80)

Student Life

Student Body

Undergrads
3,629
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
18%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 45%
Black 4%
Hispanic 19%
Asian 15%
Two+ 8%
Int'l 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate84.7%
Freshman Retention86.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$64,934
8 Years$72,056
10 Years$82,939

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women
$71,900
Men
$84,500

Rankings

U.S. News
#84
Forbes
#125
Wall Street Journal
#29
Washington Monthly
#197

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Waves

Rankings

History & Fun Facts

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
27 mi(47 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
128 mi(222 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
331 mi(574 min)

Getting There

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Pepperdine University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications