Pepperdine University Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Pepperdine University is a private Christian institution known for its business, law, and psychology degree programs, situated on the picturesque Malibu coast. The cost for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students is $64,142 for Pepperdine tuition, fees, and books and supplies. That’s significantly more than the average cost for four-year private colleges of $39,400.

Many Pepperine students receive financial aid to help pay for these costs.

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

At Pepperdine, 97% of first-time undergraduates enrolled full-time received federal, state, local, or institutional grants, scholarships, or loans.

Explore financial aid options: California Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that 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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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 and 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

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At Pepperdine, 38% of students have federal student loans, and 9% took out private student loans to help pay for the Pepperdine University cost. The average amount of private student loan aid students have is $12,899.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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 as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your 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

Using 2022-23 cost figures, the cost of a four-year undergraduate degree at Pepperdine University would be $268,754. This is higher than the average cost of private four-year colleges in the U.S. of $230,280.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The cost of attendance is the same for in- and out-of-state undergraduate students at Pepperdine. With Pepperdine tuition and fees of $63,142, plus room and board of $18,560, the cost is $85,202. That makes the Pepperdine University cost significantly higher than the average total cost of attendance of $53,430 for private institutions in the U.S.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

In-state and out-of-state graduate students pay $39,720 in Pepperdine tuition and fees for the 2022-23 school year. This cost for graduate school is higher than the $23,130 national average for one year in a master’s program.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Undergrads and grad students who enroll at Pepperdine on a part-time basis pay tuition on a per-unit rate. For 2022-23, undergraduate part-time students enrolled in one to 11 units pay $1,955 per unit, per semester. Graduate students pay $1,865 per unit.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

Generally, all new Pepperdine undergraduate students are required to live on campus for four semesters. Additionally, all transfer students must reside on campus for one academic year. Housing options are based on a student’s academic college, and accommodations vary from suite-style houses to apartment dormitories.

Students who don’t need to meet Pepperdine’s on-campus residency requirement have the option of renting a studio apartment off campus. Pepperdine has off-campus housing resources for those looking for options.

Pepperdine Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

With a 53% acceptance rate, Pepperdine University is a moderately selective school.

Admission Requirements

Pepperdine’s admissions process evaluates applications based on the following factors.

Required:

•  High school record and GPA

•  Letters of recommendation

Recommended:

•  Completion of college-prep courses

•  SAT or ACT test scores are considered (Pepperdine is test-optional)

To apply as an undergraduate to Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences for the 2024-25 school year, submit your application by November 1 for early action admission, with notification by January 10. The regular decision deadline is January 15, with notification by April 1.

SAT and ACT Scores

Submitting SAT or ACT standardized test scores isn’t a requirement for admission, but scores will be considered if you choose to provide them. Here’s a look at test scores of first-time students:

Popular Majors at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine offers 87 degree programs across five graduate and undergraduate schools. These are the most popular undergraduate majors at Pepperdine.

1. Business Administration

Students in this program get quantitative preparation and study accounting, finance, business, and marketing. They also learn service leadership and have the opportunity for internships. Business Admin students go on to have careers in accounting, management, and business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 218

2. Psychology

Psychology majors study human behavior and mental life through a scientific lens. They get a foundation in psychology principles and methodologies so they can go on to graduate school or become psychologists or therapists.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 77

3. Biology

In this degree program, students get instruction in biological sciences, as well as hands-on learning and the chance to participate in research. They can pursue a B.A or B.S. in Biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 63

4. Public Relations

Those in the Public Relations degree program are taught to plan and build relationships between organizations and the public. They have the chance to participate in internships. After graduation, students work in event planning, social and digital media, and strategic writing for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 56

5. Economics

Economics majors learn economic theory and how to apply deductive reasoning to analyze, question, and explain human interactions. They also study finance, labor economics, and industrial organization, among other things. Many students go on to have careers in government or public administration.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 51

6. Advertising

Those interested in an advertising degree study copywriting, media planning and buying, research on consumer behavior, digital analytics, advertising strategy, and more. They also have the opportunity to participate in real world experiences and internships.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 48

7. Political Science

Poly sci students at Pepperdine study and analyze politics, government, and the process of governing. The program combines classwork with experiential learning, and it teaches students to develop critical thinking. There’s also the opportunity to be part of the school’s internship program in Washington, D.C.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 34

8. Sport Administration

This interdisciplinary major helps students develop the skills they’ll need for sports industry careers. They learn how sports, business, communication, and leadership intersect, and they gain real-world experience in the industry through internships.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 25

9. International Business

International Business majors discover how to function in a global economy by studying the cultural, policial, economics, and business fields. They also receive a strong foundation in business, and participate in a leadership project. Students are required to complete some of their coursework abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 24

10. International Studies

This multidisciplinary program combines training in international politcal economy and intercultural studies with language skills and an opportunity to gain regional expertise. Students typically go on to work in diplomacy, government service, international humanitarian services, multinational organizations, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 21

Graduation Rate

Pepperdine’s graduation rates for undergraduate students are:

•  4 years: 72%

•  6 years: 83%

•  8 years: 83%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the median annual earnings for Pepperdine graduates is $72,035. This is significantly higher than the national median for graduates of four-year schools, which is $47,944.