What are Pepperdine’s admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:
- GPA requirements
- Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
- Application requirements
In this guide we’ll cover what you need to get into Pepperdine and build a strong application.
School location: Malibu, CA
This school is also known as: Pepperdine University
Admissions Rate: 35.7%
If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.
The acceptance rate at Pepperdine is 35.7%. For every 100 applicants, 36 are admitted.
This means the school is very selective. If you meet Pepperdine’s requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you’ll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.
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Pepperdine GPA Requirements
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school’s average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 3.66
The average GPA at Pepperdine is 3.66.
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 3.66, Pepperdine requires you to be above average in your high school class. You’ll need at least a mix of A’s and B’s, with more A’s than B’s. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you’re able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.
If you’re currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.66, you’ll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Pepperdine. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Pepperdine SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school’s average score.
Pepperdine University Majors
Program | Degree Level | Degree Type |
---|---|---|
Accelerated Two-Year JD Program Caruso School of Law | Graduate | Juris Doctor (JD) |
Accounting Major and Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Advertising Major Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Art History Major and Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Art Major and Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) Graziadio Business School | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Biology Major Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Business Administration Major Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Certificate in Business Analytics Graziadio Business School | Executive Education | Certificates |
Certificate in Healthcare Management and Leadership Graziadio Business School | Executive Education | Certificates |
Chemistry Major Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Communication Major and Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Computer Science/Mathematics Major, Computer Science/Philosophy Major, and Computer Science Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science (BS) |
Conflict Management Certification Seaver College | Undergraduate | Certificates |
Creative Writing Major and Minor Seaver College | Undergraduate | Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
Criminal Legal Practice Certification Caruso School of Law | Graduate | Certificates |
Cyber Risk Professional Certification Graziadio Business School | Executive Education | Certificates |
Dispute Resolution Certification Caruso School of Law | Graduate | Certificates |