collageWe’re excited to announce that we are now offering Early Action admission consideration for first-year students for the Fall term! Whether you’re a senior in high school or a junior who just can’t wait, we want you to apply early and get a head start on your college search.
Why apply Early Action? Because it will give you peace of mind. We accept a large percentage of our Early Action applicants, so when you get admitted during your junior year, you know you have almost certainly been accepted to Pepperdine. You don’t have to do anything special—just complete the application during your junior year and you’ll be one of the first to learn if you are admitted to Pepperdine. Acceptance is not guaranteed but makes admission much more likely.
So what are you waiting for? Apply now!
This is your guide to Pepperdine University.
Pepperdine University, a private research university in Malibu, California, was founded in 1937 with the goal of providing students of all faiths a higher education that integrated academic rigor and Christian values. Today, Pepperdine has grown into one of the top nonprofit universities in the country, attracting students from all over the world with its small classes and faculty committed to teaching and mentoring. Pepperdine is home to six graduate schools and one college that offer degrees in everything from undergraduate studies like business and public policy to doctoral programs in psychology. The university also offers online degree programs for students who want to pursue a degree but don’t have time to attend school full-time.
If you’re considering applying to Pepperdine University, this article will give you some basic information about the university’s application process, tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, and more. Let’s start by looking at what it takes to be admitted as an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University.
Pepperdine university Requirements for Admission
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
pepperdine acceptance Rate 2021
31.7%
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 31.7%. For every 100 applicants, 32 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.
Pepperdine university 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.
Average SAT
1320
The average SAT score composite at Pepperdine is a 1320 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes Pepperdine Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.
Pepperdine SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1220, and the 75th percentile New SAT score is 1420. In other words, a 1220 on the New SAT places you below average, while a 1420 will move you up to above average.
Here’s the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| Math | 670 | 610 | 730 |
| Reading + Writing | 650 | 610 | 690 |
| Composite | 1320 | 1220 | 1420 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
Pepperdine has the Score Choice policy of “Highest Section.”
This is also known as “superscoring.” This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.
For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:
| Section | R+W | Math | Composite |
| Test 1 | 700 | 300 | 1000 |
| Test 2 | 300 | 700 | 1000 |
| Test 3 | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| Superscore | 700 | 700 | 1400 |
Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Pepperdine will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.
This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Pepperdine forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.
Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1420, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Exclusive: Want to learn how to improve your SAT score by 160 points?
Pepperdine ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, Pepperdine likely doesn’t have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT
29
The average ACT score at Pepperdine is 29. This score makes Pepperdine Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32.
Even though Pepperdine likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 26 or below, you’ll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 29 and above that a 26 will look academically weak.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you’re taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school’s ACT requirement of 32 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you’re happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
We weren’t able to find the school’s exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Pepperdine, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 32.
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
Pepperdine recommends that you take the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section. If you do well, they’ll consider your application to be stronger.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
We did not find information that Pepperdine requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.
Final Admissions Verdict
Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you’re able to score a 1420 SAT or a 32 ACT or above, you’ll have a very strong chance at getting in.
For a school as selective as Pepperdine, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We’ll cover those details next.
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
- 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
- 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
- 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
- 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
- 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
Application Requirements
The requirements for admission to Pepperdine University are fairly standard, but you should have a good idea of what’s required of you before applying. Every school requires an application with the bare essentials – high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We’ll cover the exact requirements of Pepperdine here.
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 27%. For every 100 applicants, 27 are admitted.
This means the school is very selective. If you don’t meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.
After crossing this hurdle, you’ll need to impress Pepperdine application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We’ll cover more below.
Application Requirements Overview
- Common Application Accepted
- Universal Application Not accepted
- Electronic Application Available
- Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation 2
- Interview Not required
- Application Fee $65
- Fee Waiver Available? Available
- Other Notes
Testing Requirements
- SAT or ACTRequired
- SAT Essay or ACT WritingRecommended
- SAT Subject Tests
- Scores Due in OfficeJanuary 5
Coursework Requirements
- SubjectRequired Years
- English
- Math
- Science
- Foreign Language
- Social Studies
- History
- Electives
Deadlines and Early Admissions
-
- Offered?DeadlineNotification
- Regular Admission
- YesJanuary 5April 1
- Early Action
- No
- Early Decision
- No
Admissions Office Information
- Address:24255
Malibu, CA 90263 - Phone: (310) 506-4392
- Fax: (310) 506-4861
- Email: admission-seaver@pepperdine.edu
Other Schools For You
If you’re interested in Pepperdine, you’ll probably be interested in these schools as well. We’ve divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Pepperdine.
Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into
These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Pepperdine. If you improve your SAT score, you’ll be competitive for these schools.
| School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | 1435 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1420 | 32 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | 1409 | 31 |
| Villanova University | Villanova, PA | 1395 | 33 |
| Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | 1375 | 30 |
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | 1365 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1360 | 30 |
Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into
If you’re competitive for Pepperdine, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.
| School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 1340 | 30 |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 1335 | 29 |
| California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | 1335 | 29 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1315 | 29 |
| University of California, Irvine | Irvine, CA | 1310 | 29 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 1300 | 30 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1300 | 29 |
Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into
If you’re currently competitive for Pepperdine, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Pepperdine is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.
| School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | 1275 | 28 |
| United States Military Academy | West Point, NY | 1270 | 28 |
| Penn State University Park | University Park, PA | 1265 | 28 |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 1265 | 27 |
| Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | 1250 | 28 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 1238 | 27 |
| Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | 1231 | 26 |
Chances of getting into Pepperdine University
Acceptance Rate
35.7%
| Admission Standards | Exceptional | |
| Applicant Competition | High |
How hard is it to get into Pepperdine and can I get accepted? The school has a 36% acceptance rate ranking it #21 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 4,016 out of 11,265 applicants were admitted making Pepperdine a highly competitive school to get into with a lesser chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Academically, it has extremely high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 20 percent. Pepperdine University typically accepts and attracts “B+” average high school students. Only 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
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Pepperdine SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT RANGE
1220-1420
APPLICANTS SUBMITTING SAT
68%
| SAT Reading 25th | 610 |
| SAT Math 25th | 610 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1220 |
| SAT Reading 75th | 690 |
| SAT Math 75th | 730 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1420 |
| Average SAT Score | 1320 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Pepperdine University?
Pepperdine University typically requires applicants to be in the top 22 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1220 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1120. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1320 out of 1600. The school ranks #15 in California for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 68 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school. Note: SAT scores presented on this page have been adjusted upwards per the College Board’s concordance tables for test takers after March 2016.Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2018 starting class
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT SCORE (1600 SCALE) | COMPETITIVENESS | ADMISSION CHANCES |
|---|---|---|
| 1420 and Above | Good | >49% |
| 1320 to 1420 | Avg + | 36%-49% |
| 1220 to 1320 | Avg – | 25%-36% |
| 1120 to 1220 | Reach | 16%-25% |
| Less than 1120 | Low | <16% |
Pepperdine ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
26-32
APPLICANTS SUBMITTING ACT
47%
| ACT Reading 25th | 26 |
| ACT Math 25th | 26 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 26 |
| ACT Reading 75th | 34 |
| ACT Math 75th | 30 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 32 |
| Average ACT Score | 29 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Pepperdine?
Admission data indicates that Pepperdine regularly accepts students with ACT’s of 26 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 18 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 23 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 29 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 32 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #18 in California for highest average ACT composite score. 47 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Pepperdine University.
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT SCORE | COMPETITIVENESS | ADMISSION CHANCES |
|---|---|---|
| 32 and Above | Good | >49% |
| 29 to 32 | Avg + | 36%-49% |
| 26 to 29 | Avg – | 25%-36% |
| 23 to 26 | Reach | 16%-25% |
| Less than 23 | Low | <16% |
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
AVG. HIGH SCHOOL GPA
3.59
TYPICAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADES
B+
You will need very good grades in high school to get into Pepperdine University. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Pepperdine University was 3.59 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #37 in California for highest average GPA. Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Pepperdine will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
| HIGH SCHOOL GPA | FRESHMEN WITHIN RANGE | COMPETITIVENESS |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 39% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 25% | Avg + |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 21% | Avg – |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 11% | Reach |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 4% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
High School Class Rank
83% of Pepperdine University freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.
| HIGH SCHOOL CLASS RANK | FRESHMEN WITHIN RANGE |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 47% |
| Top 25% of class | 83% |
| Top 50% of class | 96% |
| Bottom 50% of class | 4% |
| Bottom 25% of class | 0% |
Data Sources, Wintergreen Orchard House
Admission Statistics
| WOMEN | MEN | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 7,192 | 4,073 | 11,265 |
| Accepted | 2,330 | 1,686 | 4,016 |
| Acceptance Rate | 32% | 41% | 36% |
| Enrolled | 453 | 350 | 803 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 19% | 21% | 20% |
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Pepperdine University and what considerations affect admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Neither required nor recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Recommended |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Other Colleges to Consider
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, California
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, California
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, Utah
St John’s College
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121150 IPEDS survey data for Pepperdine University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pepperdine University prefer SAT or ACT?
What is my chance of getting into Pepperdine University?
What SAT score is required for Pepperdine University?
What ACT score is required for Pepperdine University?
The middle 50% of admitted applicants have ACT scores between 26 and 32. 47% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.
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