Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit · 4-year
Pepperdine University has a 49.9% acceptance rate. Pepperdine University is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Malibu, CA, with a median SAT of 1370 and a median ACT of 31. The average net price is $58,098 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
49.9%
12,457 applicants
1370
Combined score
31
Composite score
$58,098
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Pepperdine University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 1250 | 1370 | 1450 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 26 | 31 | 32 |
0.8%
87.6%
N/A
3,553
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Pepperdine University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $50,560 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $42,674 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $51,063 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $61,851 |
| $110,000+ | $65,081 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Business, Management & Marketing | 244 |
| Communication & Journalism | 104 |
| Psychology | 93 |
| Social Sciences | 91 |
| Parks, Recreation & Fitness | 70 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 53 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 52 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 48 |
| English Language & Literature | 17 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 14 |
Official website: https://www.pepperdine.edu/
Admissions: https://www.pepperdine.edu/admission
Pepperdine University has an acceptance rate of 50%. it received about 12,457 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1370; the average net price is $58,098 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Pepperdine University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Pepperdine University is moderately selective — it admits 50% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1370. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Pepperdine University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Pepperdine University typically have a median SAT around 1370 and a median ACT around 31. With a 50% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Pepperdine University is $58,098 per year after grants and scholarships. about 92% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $32,986 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Pepperdine University has a graduation rate of 1%. its first-year retention rate is 88%. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Pepperdine University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Pepperdine University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1370. With a 50% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Pepperdine University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
Fort Worth, TX · 43% acceptance
Troy, NY · 58% acceptance
Fairfield, CT · 45% acceptance
Bennington, VT · 48% acceptance
Winter Park, FL · 41% acceptance
Kings Point, NY · 32% acceptance
San Francisco, CA · 1% acceptance
Stanford, CA · 4% acceptance
Pasadena, CA · 3% acceptance
Claremont, CA · 14% acceptance
Claremont, CA · 7% acceptance
Los Angeles, CA · 9% acceptance
All 3,500+ universities · Most affordable colleges · Best value colleges · Test-optional colleges · Engineering programs · Computer science programs · Highest graduation rates · Compare planning tools
Check Your Admission Chances at Pepperdine University — Free