Pepperdine University

Pepperdine is moderately selective and more attainable than its national reputation suggests. It admitted about 69% of applicants in the most recent cycle, roughly 9,331 offers from 13,445 applications, with around 999 students enrolling. Admitted first-years are strong but not extreme outliers: they averaged a 3.57 high school GPA, and the middle 50% who submitted the SAT scored 1240–1410.

Enrolled first-years at Pepperdine average about a 3.57 high school GPA, and nearly all of them (99.9%) submitted a GPA. The class clusters in the A-minus range: about 62% of enrolled students had a 3.5 or higher and roughly a third had a 3.75 or above. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both weighed as very important factors, so a GPA in the mid-3s keeps you competitive.

No. Pepperdine is test-optional, so you can apply without scores and decide whether to submit them. Most enrolled students chose not to: only 17% submitted the SAT and 8% the ACT. Among those who did, the middle 50% scored 1240–1410 on the SAT and 28–32 on the ACT, and scores are only 'considered' rather than required in the review.

Yes, a 1350 is competitive at Pepperdine. It sits just above the median for enrolled students who submitted scores, whose middle 50% scored 1240–1410 on the SAT. Because Pepperdine is test-optional and only 17% of enrolled first-years submitted the SAT, a 1350 is comfortably in range to send, though strong grades, essays, and activities carry more weight in the decision.

No, you do not have to belong to any particular faith, and Pepperdine's student body comes from many religious backgrounds. The university is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and weighs religious affiliation and commitment as a very important admission factor, one of the few schools to rate it that highly. Undergraduates take religion coursework and attend a regular convocation program, so genuine interest in Pepperdine's Christian mission can strengthen an application.

Both. Pepperdine offers a nonbinding Early Action plan and, newly for the Fall 2026 cycle, a binding Early Decision plan, each with a November 1 deadline and decisions released around January 10. Early Action lets you apply early without committing, while Early Decision is a binding commitment to enroll if admitted. Because Early Decision is brand new, Pepperdine has not yet published early-round admit rates.

Tuition and required fees run about $75,202 per year, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $20,490. Pepperdine meets about 76% of demonstrated financial need on average; around 52% of first-year students receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, with an average total aid package near $58,830. Merit scholarships are also available and are awarded on academics, leadership, and other non-need factors.

Yes, more than at many schools. Pepperdine rates the application essay as a very important factor, the same tier as GPA, course rigor, character, and religious commitment, and above test scores. With a holistic, faith-informed review and test-optional admissions, a specific and well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to show fit with Pepperdine's mission and stand out.