The Pepperdine Experience
Where Scholars, Believers, Artists, Athletes, and Innovators Converge
Academic Divisions, Majors, and Minors
Key: Majors; Minors; Emphases, Sequences, Tracks, or Special Programs
45 Majors 50 Minors
Student to Faculty Ratio
13:1
5 Most Popular Majors
Business Administration Division
Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, International Business; Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Social Entrepreneurship
Communication Division
Advertising, Communication Studies, Integrated Marketing Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Screen Arts, Sport Administration; Communication Studies, Intercultural Studies, Journalism, Rhetoric and Leadership
Fine Arts Division
Art, Art History, Music (Emphases: Applied Music, Composition, Composition for Screen Arts, Pre-Teaching Credential), Theatre Arts (Sequences: Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre, Production/Design), Theatre and Screen Arts (Sequences: Acting, Directing); Art, Art History, Composition for Music Majors, Music Composition, Music Performance, Worship Music for Music Majors
Humanities and Teacher
Education Division
Creative Writing (Emphases: Fiction Writing, Poetry Writing, Screen and Television Writing), English (Emphases: Education and Secondary Teaching Credential, Literature, Writing and Rhetoric), Film (Emphases: Critical Studies, Production, Writing for Screen and Television), History (Business Emphasis), Liberal Studies for Education; Creative Writing, English, Film, History, Writing; Teacher Education Program
International Studies and Languages Division
French Studies, Hispanic Studies, International Studies (Specializations: Global Politics, Regional Studies), Italian Studies; Asian Studies, French Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Italian Studies
Natural Science Division
Biology (Honors Research Program), Chemistry (Honors Research Program), Computer Science/Mathematics, Computer Science/Philosophy, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Natural Science (3/2 Engineering Program tracks in conjunction with partner institutions: Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering), Nutritional Science; Physics; Sports Medicine (Honors Research Program); Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Nutritional Science, Physics, Sports Medicine, Public Health; Pre-Professional Health Curricula
Nursing Division
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Four-Year Pathway Two-Year Pathway
Religion and Philosophy Division
Computer Science/Philosophy, Philosophy (Business Emphasis), Religion; Faith and Vocation, Philosophy, Religion
Social Science Division
Economics, Political Science (Honors Research Program), Psychology (Honors Research Program), Sociology; Economics, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Survey Research; Pre-Law Emphasis
Interdisciplinary Programs
Sustainability; African American Studies, Digital Humanities, Ethnic Studies, Great Books, Intercultural Studies, Sustainability, Women’s and Gender Studies; Certificate in Conflict Management, Global Fellows Program Certificate, Social Action and Justice Colloquium
More Than an Education
Here students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
A Vibrant Campus
Pepperdine is home to approximately 3,500 undergraduate students hand selected from diverse backgrounds. More than 60 percent of students live on campus in fully furnished, suite-style residence halls centrally located to classes, the library, campus eateries, events, and student support resources. This close-knit community is the optimal setting for you to discover yourself and develop your talents.
A Place of Faith
Christian values, firmly rooted in a Church of Christ heritage, are at the heart of Pepperdine’s transformative experience both inside and outside the classroom. Members of all faith traditions are welcome to explore their spiritual path here. The Chapel program creates gatherings for first- and second-year students to feel welcomed into the community and explore their faith through the themes of love, truth, goodness, and beauty. This required programming provides a model of vibrant faith practice for students as they become leaders in the world.
Additional ways to examine, challenge, and grow in your faith
• An Affiliated Campus Ministry Program
• Annual Worship Summit
• Chapel Program
• Hub for Spiritual Life
• Mission Trips
• Prayer and Worship Gatherings
• Religion Courses
• Service Projects
• Spiritual Life Advisors in Residence Halls
• Student-Led Spiritual Life Programs
• University Church of Christ
• Waves Church
Service at Pepperdine
Making a positive impact on communities and people in the Greater Los Angeles area, across the United States, and globally
Step Forward Day
is a 30-year annual tradition that connects students, faculty, staff, and alumni around the world to service opportunities within their communities.
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It’s All About Location
Picture yourself living and studying in the relaxed coastal community of Malibu, California, just 30 miles away from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles and its many professional and cultural offerings.
Find Your Community
With more than 110 student clubs and organizations and over 1,000 on-campus events each year, opportunities to build lasting friendships and explore new interests abound.
Activities and Traditions
• Art Shows
• Blue and Orange Madness
• Coffeehouse Gatherings
• Culture Festival and Club Fair
• Dance in Flight
• Global Learning Week
• Greek Life
• Reel Stories Film Festival
• Residence Hall House Cup Competition
• Spring Concert
• Step Forward Day
• Theatre Performances
• Waves Weekend
• President’s Reception
AYO Waves!
• Winter Wonderland
Welcome to Waves Nation, where 17 men’s and women’s Division I athletic teams compete for victory and the Riptide Spirit Crew bleed orange and blue!
Men’s
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Indoor Volleyball
Tennis
Track
Water Polo
Club Beach Volleyball
Esports
Surfing
Tennis
Women’s
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Cross Country
Golf
Indoor Volleyball
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track
Intramural Sports
Basketball
Flag Football
Pickleball
Soccer
Volleyball
International Programs
When you are a Pepperdine student, the world is at your fingertips. Study with Pepperdine faculty and fellow students in Pepperdine-owned facilities around the world. Approximately 80 percent of students participate in one of Pepperdine’s highly regarded international programs and cite it as one of the highlights of their four years here.
Program Options
Participate in a variety of semester, academic year, winter, summer, internship, and special-interest international programs.
6 Program Locations
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Château d’Hauteville, Switzerland
Florence, Italy
Heidelberg, Germany
London, United Kingdom
Washington, DC
Building Careers
Rigorous academic curricula, a liberal arts foundation, and an emphasis on leadership development prepare students for global careers, graduate studies, and competitive fellowships. With an average class size of just 18 students, undergraduates have unparalleled access to faculty mentorship and research opportunities. Students are also supported by the Career Center, which offers advising, resume writing help, job and internship fairs on campus, a Pepperdine-exclusive job search site, mock interviews, and more. After graduation, students enter a strong alumni network, which includes more than 25 organized chapters and 140,000+ alumni around the world.
Recent Pepperdine grads have gone on to work for companies including: The Academy of Country Music, AEG, Amazon, Amgen, Boeing, Creative Artists Agency, Deloitte, Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Ernst & Young, ESPN, Fidelity Investments, Fox, Goldman Sachs, Google, Hughes Research Lab, International Justice Mission, Jumpstart, Kaiser Permanente, KPMG, Live Nation, Meta, Morgan Stanley, National Institutes of Health, NBC Universal, Oracle, Peace Corps, Sony, Teach for America, and many more!
80% of students gain real-world experience during their time at Pepperdine by participating in internships, student teaching, on- or off-campus employment, and undergraduate research.
91%
of graduates have recognized professional outcomes within six months of graduating
(either employed, volunteering full time, serving in the military, or have been accepted to graduate school to further their education)
Within Your Reach
To bring in a well-rounded class each year, the admission committee looks closely at each applicant’s academic record, GPA, standardized test scores (optional), background of service and leadership, and character as exhibited in recommendation letters and application essays.
Application Statistics
Number of Applications ..............................12,719
Enrolled............................................... 975
Admit Averages Mid-50%
First-Year GPA (unweighted) ......................... 3.67–3.89
Transfer GPA.
3.55–3.83 SAT Total ........................................ 1350–1450 ACT Composite 31–33 TOEFL IBT ......................................... 102–107
(Based on Fall 2024)
Pepperdine University’s AP and IB policies vary slightly from year to year and by subject. Typically, a score of 3 on AP exams or 5 on IB will count toward college credit at Pepperdine.
Admission Checklist
☐ STEP 1: Submit your application
☐ STEP 2: Submit additional required materials (e.g., recommendation and transcripts)
☐ STEP 3: Monitor your application and to-do lists via the Pepperdine Application Portal
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the Office of Admission receives all required application materials by the appropriate admission deadline.
Pepperdine Is Possible
Your education is an investment in yourself, your career, and your financial future that will last a lifetime. Although the University believes that families and students have the primary responsibility for meeting the cost of an education, the Office of Financial Assistance is dedicated to providing the tools and resources necessary to help bridge the gap between the cost of Pepperdine and the family’s contribution. For more information, visit: seaver.pepperdine.edu/financial-aid.
Dates and Deadlines
Early Action Admission
Regular Decision Admission
Transfer Admission
Tuition and Fees
Types of Financial Assistance
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS: All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their application materials, GPA, and course selection. Scholarship amounts vary and may be coordinated with need-based aid. Please note that limited merit aid is available for students entering in the spring term.
GRANTS: Grants are need-based awards funded by Pepperdine, the federal government, or state governments. For federal student aid information, visit: studentaid.gov. For information about the Cal Grant for California residents, visit: csac.ca.gov.
DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Fine Arts and athletic scholarships may be available to students who participate in additional evaluation processes. For more information, visit seaver.pepperdine.edu/finearts or pepperdinewaves.com.
CHURCH OF CHRIST SCHOLARSHIPS: Applicants who are an active member of a Church of Christ congregation are eligible for additional scholarships and aid. For more information, please visit: seaver.pepperdine.edu/admission/coc
WORK-STUDY: Pepperdine offers federal work-study to students who qualify based on financial need and fund availability. This program allows students to work in a variety of part-time capacities—often in fields related to their studies and goals—by applying to positions through the Student Employment Office.
FEDERAL EDUCATION LOANS: Federal education loans may be awarded to students and parents who qualify. Student loans have to be repaid, typically with interest, but some forgiveness programs exist. For more information, visit: studentloans.gov
Your Eligibility
Pepperdine need-based and federal aid is based on students’ financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial need is the difference between the estimated cost of attendance for the academic year and the estimated family contribution. Institutional grant assistance is evaluated during a student’s first year at Pepperdine and remains the same as long as they maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet the financial assistance terms and conditions, for a maximum of eight semesters, not including summer sessions.
Scan the QR to estimate your financial assistance award by using the Net Price Calculator
The Pepperdine Impact
A degree from Pepperdine is highly valued and respected in the competitive global marketplace. Choosing to enroll at Pepperdine not only launches a personally, academically, and spiritually transformative journey, but also provides a practical foundation that is rooted in ethical decision-making, real-world application, and a supportive community.
76% of Pepperdine students graduate in four years approximately 27% higher than the national average. 92% of undergraduate students received some form of financial assistance during the 2024–25 academic year. Pepperdine contributed approximately $106 million in University-funded grants and scholarships for undergraduate students during the 2023–24 academic year.
