Pepperdine University

63.9

College Consensus
•AVERAGE: 69

45.7

Publisher Consensus
•AVERAGE: 58.7

82.1

Student Consensus
•AVERAGE: 76.9

Publisher Ratings

70.7

U.S. News - National Universities

61.3

Wall Street Journal

43.3

Wallethub

26.5

Forbes

26.5

Washington Monthly National

Student Reviews

96.2

U.S. News - Reviews

81.6

Grad Reports

81.1

Unigo

76.3

My Plan

75.1

Niche

Scores last updated on January 6, 2024

49%

Percent Admitted

80%

4-year Graduation Rate

10,030

Enrollment

13.0:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

$33,245

Average Undergraduate Students Aid

$63,142

In-State Tuition and Fees

$63,142

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

= Average

Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

Carnegie Classification

Doctoral/Professional Universities

Religious Affiliation

Churches of Christ

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

30 miles west of Los Angeles is Malibu, CA, home to Pepperdine University. Founded in 1937 by George Pepperdine, the Malibu campus sits on 830 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Coast Highway. The school moved to Malibu from LA in 1972; the campus buildings reflect Mediterranean Revival Style architecture with red tile roofs, white stucco walls and large tinted windows. Pepperdine always seems to appear on any list of “most beautiful” campuses in the U.S. This private, 4-year university was founded on George Pepperdine’s belief that the school should be “…dedicated to a greater goal—that of building in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind.” Pepperdine, who earned his fortune with an auto supply company, “considered it wrong to build up a great fortune and use it selfishly.”

Academic Programs

Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees and Doctorates in over 44 majors. The university is comprised of 5 schools, 1 undergraduate and 4 graduate: Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Graziadio School of Business and Management; School of Law; Graduate School of Education and Psychology and the School of Public Policy. Currently, the school only offers degree completion programs online, although there are international programs available. Pepperdine is noted for its Dietetics, Music, Psychology and Law programs; the largest undergraduate programs are in Business and Communications/Journalism. According to the Mission and Vision statements, “Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership” and “Pepperdine University will be a preeminent, global, Christian university, known for the integration of faith and learning, whose graduates lead purposeful lives as servant-minded leaders throughout the world.”

Student Life

The student body is composed of over 3,400 undergraduate students, most of whom reside on campus in one of the many varied types and styles of residence hall. There are a wide variety of clubs and student-run organizations on campus including club sports and intramurals. For the varsity athlete, the blue and orange Waves field teams in 10 sports and participate in NCAA Division I-AAA competition. Among the traditions on campus is ‘Songfest’ – a 40+ year tradition that started as a ‘crazy idea and a song & dance show’ started by a handful of students in 1973. The environment at Pepperdine follows the vision of George Pepperdine, “Our vision statement declares what we intend to become. George Pepperdine envisioned an institution that would transform students’ lives so that they would, in turn, impact culture. He imagined a vast body of alumni—men and women conscious of their good fortune, recipients of the generous gift of a Christian education—who would feel the moral imperative to serve others sacrificially. Hence, the school’s motto: “Freely ye received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).”

Graziadio Business School