Pepperdine University Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia

(Last Updated – 08/2025)

Pepperdine University is a private Christian university located in Malibu, California. Founded in 1937, it offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its six schools. Known for its stunning coastal campus and emphasis on academic excellence, leadership, and Christian values, Pepperdine fosters a strong sense of community. The university is also recognized for its programs in business, law, education, psychology, and public policy.

Total Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance at Pepperdine University in 2024-25 was $95,168, which is significantly higher than the national average of $62,990 at private colleges.

Here’s a look at how those costs break down:

Financial Aid

The vast majority of undergraduates at Pepperdine (92%) use financial aid to help cover the tuition and other costs. This may be scholarships, grants, student loans, or a combination of these.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

Recommended: California Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Private Student Loans

A large share of students (44%) take out student loans to help cover Pepperdine tuition and other costs: 42% take out federal loans, and 10% get private student loans (with an average amount of $17,344).

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The total cost to attend Pepperdine University for four years — including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses — is $380,672 (based on 2024-25 numbers). This is much higher than the national average of $251,960 for four years at a private university.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2024-25

Pepperdine University undergraduate tuition and fees for 2024-25 were $69,918, which represents a 4.8% increase over 2023-24.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2024-25

•   Average tuition: $43,400

•   Fees: $656

Tuition and fees for graduate students at Pepperdine for 2024-25 averaged $44,056. This is substantially higher than the average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S., which is $22,430 per year.

There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit at Pepperdine is $2,255 for undergraduate students.

Campus Housing Expenses

Pepperdine offers residence halls and apartments on its Malibu campus. All new first-year and transfer students are required to live on campus. Other students may choose to live on or off campus.

Costs for 2024-25

•   Housing and food expenses (on campus): $21,750

•   Other living expenses (on campus): $2,500

•   Housing and food expenses (off campus): $22,500

•   Other living expenses (off campus): $3,000

Total living expenses for the 2024-25 academic year were estimated at $24,250 for students living on campus and $25,500 for those living off campus.

Pepperdine Acceptance Rate

The Pepperdine University acceptance rate is 50%, which makes the school somewhat selective.

Admission Requirements

To apply to Pepperdine as a first-year student, you’ll need to submit:

•  The Common App

•  Official high school transcripts

•  Academic letter of recommendation from a core subject (math, science, English, history, foreign language, religion) teacher or counselor who is familiar with your academic standing.

•  SAT/ACT/CLT scores (optional)

First-year students applying for fall also have the option to sign up for an admission interview as part of the application evaluation process, but an interview is not required.

Application deadlines:

•  Early Action and Early Decision: November 1 (with decisions sent on January 10)

•  Regular Decision: January 15 (with decisions sent on April 1)

SAT and ACT Scores

Though submitting test scores is optional at Pepperdine, it can be helpful to know the average scores of other students who chose to submit their scores.

Here are the standardized test scores of students who enrolled in Fall 2023 at the 25th and 75th percentiles.

Popular Majors at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine offers over 46 majors and 47 minors to choose from within eight, interdisciplinary academic divisions of liberal arts and business programs. Here are some of the most popular areas of study:

1. Business Administration

The B.S. in business administration program prepares students for careers in accounting, business, or management, as well as graduate studies in business administration.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 186

2. Psychology

Psychology majors study human behavior and mental life using scientific methodologies. They explore core psychological principles, research methods, and diverse areas like biopsychology, clinical psychology, and social psychology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 89

3. Public Relations

The public relations program teaches students to write, plan, and build relationships between organizations and the public. Graduates pursue careers in everything from event planning and strategic writing to digital/social media.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 51

4. Biology

The biology program offers opportunities for experiential learning through hands-on research, small labs, and instructor-led lectures and labs. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the school’s summer research program, as well as the honors program in biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 49

5. Political Science and Government

Political science majors study governments and the governing process. They analyze and contextualize political events and issues, as well as identify opportunities for civic engagement and participation in political processes.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 38

6. Sports Medicine

The sports medicine major focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. Students study exercise science, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and more, preparing them for careers in applied or clinical health professions or for graduate work in related fields.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 31

7. Advertising

The advertising program exposes students to a wide range of subjects, including creative copywriting, multimedia design, digital and nondigital media planning and buying, consumer behavior research, and advertising strategy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 22

8. Finance

Finance majors not only learn about the mechanics of finance but also how finance can improve society. The program prepares students for graduate studies in finance, as well as careers in consulting, investment advising, regulation compliance, and banking.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 20

9. Computer Science/Mathematics

Computer science/math majors study a combination of computer science and mathematics principles. The program aims to equip students with the analytical and computational skills needed for careers in research or industry, or further study.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 16

10. Communication Studies

The communication studies program examines the role of verbal and nonverbal communication in human relationships. Students learn to apply communication theories and concepts to real-world situations, including interpersonal, organizational, and mediated communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 16

Graduation Rate

The vast majority of Pepperdine students complete their degree in four years. But some students take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

•  4 years: 75%

•  6 years: 85%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The average annual salary for Pepperdine University graduates is $85,000. This is higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.