Malibu, CA · 3.6k students
Trajecta score
-6.7 since '20Ranked #229 of 2,375
5-year trend
63.1 · #143
2020
62.5 · #267
2021
61.6 · #311
2022
60.3 · #385
2023
56.4 · #693
2024
Academic Profile
51/ 100
Career Outcomes
81/ 100
Student Success
71/ 100
Affordability
27/ 100
Academic Investment
75/ 100
Access & Equity
28/ 100
Academic Profile
51
Career Outcomes
81
Student Success
71
Affordability
27
Academic Investment
75
Access & Equity
28
AI Fit Analysis
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See how your profile stacks up at Pepperdine University — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
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Cost / Net Price
$94k / $58k
SAT Avg
1,384
Retention
88%
Grad Rate
84%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$69,918
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$69,918
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
20%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
37%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$23,510
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.61
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 99% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Pepperdine University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Not Considered | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Very Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Very Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Very Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Very Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Not Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Not Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Very Important | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Important | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2026-27
school's admissions site ↗Pepperdine Essay Question
Required(300-500 words)Pepperdine is a Christian university where all are welcomed and encouraged to challenge each other in the pursuit of truth. Students, faculty, and staff members from all backgrounds participate in conversations of faith inside and outside of the classroom. Considering that Pepperdine is a Christian university, why are you interested in attending and how would you contribute to conversations of faith on campus?
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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