Located in picturesque Malibu, California, Pepperdine University overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The university was established in 1937 as a nonprofit, research college. The university began its life as a Christian liberal arts college and was founded by its namesake, George Pepperdine. The first class of Pepperdine featured 167 students. Today’s college has an undergraduate student population of just over 3,600.
Mission/Vision
Pepperdine declares in its mission statement that it strives to be a university where students may learn to lead “purposeful lives,” that feature service and leadership. The university suggests that its founder wanted to create graduates who felt an ethical duty to serve others.
The university’s affirmation statement features impactful thoughts such as:
“…That knowledge calls, ultimately, for a life of service.”
Campus Setting
Encompassing 830 acres of gorgeous Malibu real estate, the university also has international campuses in a number of countries including China, Argentina, and Italy. The university was originally called George Pepperdine College and was located in South Central Los Angeles. The civil rights movement and unrest of the 1960s led the institution to move to Malibu.
The college was almost burned down during the 1965 Watts riots, but the university’s president managed to prevent the destruction from taking place. The first students to attend the Malibu location started classes in 1972.
Academics
There are five schools within Pepperdine and over 100 programs for students. Applicants may choose to enroll in accounting at Seaver College, or they may choose to major in American politics at the School of Public Policy.
As a Christian university, Pepperdine offers several courses of study on religion including undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a minor. In addition, all students must attend campus spiritual events and take a handful of courses on the Bible.
Athletics
Students who participate in sports at Pepperdine are part of “The Wave,” which is a clear nod to the beautiful beaches and surf that line the 20 miles of Malibu coastline. Available sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and a variety of additional sports opportunities. The school’s sports departments have an active social media presence and even offer an official mobile app.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Since Pepperdine is a private college, tuition and fees are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. While tuition is expensive, Pepperdine encourages students to apply for various types of financial aid to reduce the costs of education at a private college and offers a variety of programs for financial assistance. Each of the schools within Pepperdine has its own financial aid office and provides targeted assistance to students enrolled in each program. A student interested in applying to attend Pepperdine should refer to the school’s website for the most up-to-date tuition and financial aid information.
Accreditation
Pepperdine University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and its schools also carry several affiliations. For example, Seaver College is accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) for its bachelor of science in nutritional science.
The School of Law at Pepperdine is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) as well as the Committee of Bar Examiners, State Bar of California. The Graziadio School of Business and Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Schools of Business (AACSB).
Admissions
Pepperdine is a moderately selective university with statistics suggesting that around 40% of applicants are accepted. Deadline for application is typically in early January and Pepperdine welcomes applicants of diverse religious, economic, and social backgrounds. Academic achievement is important for admission; however, the university also looks at personal accomplishments when deciding upon admittance.
The school receives an extraordinary number of applications each year with more than 11,000 people applying for enrollment in Fall 2018. Average GPAs of incoming freshman were between 3.53 and 3.93. SAT scores for critical reading and math varied between 1210 and 1360, on average while ACT composite scores ranged from 27 to 31.
General questions regarding Pepperdine’s schools and admissions may be directed to the following address, but prospective students may also want to consider getting in touch with a specific department for questions about different majors and programs of study.
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Phone: 310-506-4000
