At a glance
Average net price
$58,098
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
83.4%
Admission rate
63%
Undergrad size
3,553
In-state tuition
$69,918
Out-of-state tuition
$69,918
Cost of attendance
$93,512
Median earnings (10y)
$82,939
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,384
- ACT midpoint
- 28
- Retention
- 87.6%
- Locale
- Suburb
Programs breakdown
17 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (33%), business (29%), social sciences (23%).
- STEM8%
- Business29%
- Humanities & arts33%
- Social sciences23%
- Trades & services8%
- Business28.5%~1,014 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Communication12.2%~432 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology10.9%~387 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Social sciences10.6%~378 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~312 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~291 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~220 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~199 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English2.0%~71 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~58 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~46 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts1.1%~37 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.9%~33 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~33 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics0.7%~25 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education0.4%~12 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~4 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 1,310 | $47,307 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 1,179 | $100,699 | — |
| Psychology, General. | Master's | 489 | $28,622 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 404 | $53,559 | $28,000 |
| Law. | First professional | 333 | — | — |
| Dispute Resolution. | Master's | 269 | $41,371 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master's | 247 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 212 | $46,780 | $26,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 189 | — | — |
| International Business. | Master's | 182 | — | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 166 | $32,424 | $22,580 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 159 | $52,243 | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master's | 118 | $92,220 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 115 | — | $23,336 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 112 | $22,639 | $25,379 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | 111 | $97,829 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 106 | $55,521 | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 82 | $51,799 | $24,250 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 72 | $41,350 | $23,625 |
| Applied Mathematics. | Master's | 71 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master's | 67 | $49,825 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | First professional | 54 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies. | Bachelor's | 39 | — | $26,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor's | 38 | $51,228 | — |
| Real Estate. | Master's | 38 | — | — |
| Dispute Resolution. | Undergraduate certificate | 34 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 32 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master's | 31 | — | — |
| Mathematics and Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 31 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 31 | $59,350 | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 30 | $23,856 | $19,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 29 | $37,476 | $19,667 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 28 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 23 | $31,797 | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 23 | — | $24,027 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 22 | — | — |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor's | 22 | — | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. | Bachelor's | 22 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | 22 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a mid-sized institution located in Malibu, California, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 3,553 undergraduate students in a suburb setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Communication, Psychology.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Pepperdine University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $58,098 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $69,918 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $93,512 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 83.4%, a strong completion outcome. 87.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $82,939 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Pepperdine University confers degrees and certificates across 17 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Communication, Psychology. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (33% of credentials), business (29% of credentials), social sciences (23% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Pepperdine University accepts 63% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,384. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 28.
Location & campus
Set in Malibu, California (suburb), Pepperdine University draws students from across California and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Pepperdine University
Q.How much does Pepperdine University cost?
The average net price at Pepperdine University is $58,098 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $93,512.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University has a 6-year graduation rate of 83.4% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University admits 63% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Pepperdine University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Pepperdine University graduate earns $82,939 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Pepperdine University?
Published tuition is $69,918 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Pepperdine University located?
Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, California (ZIP 90263).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Pepperdine University at their official website.