“Faith, purpose, and extraordinary views — a university unlike any other in the world.”
Pepperdine University is a Christian liberal arts university perched on 830 oceanfront acres in Malibu, California — offering what may be the most breathtaking campus setting of any university in the United States. Founded in 1937 in the tradition of the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine integrates faith and learning, preparing students to be purpose-driven leaders in business, law, public policy, and the arts. With a small undergraduate enrollment of around 3,600 students, Pepperdine offers an intimate, discussion-based academic environment in Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Class sizes are small, faculty are accessible, and the university's extensive international programs — including residential campuses in Florence, London, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, and Lausanne — mean many Pepperdine students spend a semester or year abroad as part of their degree. Pepperdine's location in Malibu places students minutes from the Pacific Ocean and close to the entertainment, media, and technology industries of Los Angeles. The university attracts students who want a high-quality, values-centered education in a genuinely exceptional setting, with particular strengths in business, communications, political science, and the arts.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; priority for merit aid
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$71,860
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Pepperdine's undergraduate liberal arts college, integrating faith and learning across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
AACSB-accredited business school with strong undergraduate and MBA programs focused on values-centered leadership.
Graduate school with strong undergraduate feeder programs in government, economics, and policy analysis.
4 years
Pepperdine's flagship undergraduate business program, taught at the Malibu campus and ranked among the top in California. Heavy emphasis on values-based leadership, ethics, and the option to study abroad for 1-2 semesters at Pepperdine's international campuses (London, Florence, Lausanne, Heidelberg, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Washington DC). ~75% of Seaver students study abroad — one of the highest rates in the U.S.
4 years
Built around Pepperdine's strongest brand asset — its global campus network. Students typically spend a year abroad at one of seven international campuses, with concentrations in international management, intercultural communication, or global politics. Frequently chosen by F-1 students seeking U.S. + global exposure.
4 years
Distinctive Malibu offering combining athletic performance, biomechanics, and management. Strong placement pipeline into pro and collegiate sports organizations in Los Angeles.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $97,966
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
